Osogbo, the Osun States capital, was in festive mood yesterday. The city went into jubilation following the Court of Appeal’s verdict that voided the sacking of Gboyega Oyetola as governor.
The appellate court upheld the victory of Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 22, 2018 governorship election.
Oyetola and the APC had approached the court to challenge the nullification of their victory in the keenly contested election.
As the news of the judgment hit the airwaves in the early hours of the day, residents trooped to the streets in a show of solidarity with the ruling party and the governor.
Rallies were hurriedly organised by various interest groups in many parts of the city, which became a huge carnival scene.
Excited party members were drumming, singing and dancing, thanking God for APC’s victory.
The governor led a convoy of many groups that went round the city. They included politicians; members of Osun Concerned Citizens; Okada Riders’ Association; Market Men and Women; Asiwaju Grassroot Foundation (AGF) and Oranmiyan Group.
Members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said they were shocked by the judgement.
In a statement, PDP Chairman, Soji Adagunodo said the judgement was based on technicalities that will be addressed at the Supreme Court.
“With the evidence we presented, we expected victory but that is democracy at work,” Adagunodo said.
Addressing residents at Olaiya Junction, Oyetola described the judgement as a long- awaited expectation of the people.
Oyetola, smiles, said the facts had been revealed already by the appellate court, adding that he would not be anxious over Senator Ademola Adeleke’s expected appeal at the Supreme Court.
He said the people of the state, without being prompted, trooped out to join him in the jubilation.
The governor said: “This is the judgement that the people of Osun have been waiting for. I am happy and the judgement is wonderful. This is what the people want to hear. They came out today without being prompted to rejoice and celebrate this judgment.”
On his chances at the Supreme Court should his PDP opponent appeal against yesterday’s ruling, Oyetola said: “I am not bothered about that. The facts have been stated already by competent courts. We are ready for them. Even the people of Osun are elated as you can see and this shows that we will win again at the Supreme Court.”
Osun Concerned Citizens General-Secretary Yaya Ademola, said the victory would spur the governor to double his efforts at delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
He said the APC and its candidate had been vindicated by four out of the five Justices, who he said ruled against “unpopular candidate”.
He said: “You will recall that we reacted with the mass but peaceful protest to the verdict of the Osun 2018 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered on Friday, 22nd March, 2019, with which two out of the three-member panel declared Mr. Ademola Adeleke of the PDP as the winner of the September 22nd, 2018 governorship election.
“Although, we are happy that we have been vindicated by the Court of Appeal with four out of five Justices ruling against an unpopular candidate and party in Osun, we are not excited that we were unduly taken for a ride by the Osun Eletition Tribunal’s ruling.
“If the PDP goes ahead to contest the verdict at the Supreme Court, it shall meet its waterloo again and again as nothing can be built on nothing. Osun Concerned Citizens stands for democracy and Justice. The Appeal Court ruling today, Thursday, 9/5/19, has attested to the Osun electorate majority decision voting Mr. Gboyega Oyetola as the governor.
“We, therefore, enjoin Osun people to go about their normal duties as Governor Gboyega Oyetola drives us to the next level of continuity in social and infrastructural development.”
Fasanmi
hails verdict
Afenifere leader and Second Republic Senator Pa Ayo Fasanmi hailed the verdict and congratulated the governor on “his well-deserved victor”.
Congratulating the governor in a statement by his media aide Temitope Adebayo, the Afenifere leader said: “The victory which Oyetola recorded at the Court of Appeal is well-deserved.
“The verdict of four out of the five men panel has shown that the votes of the people of Osun have counted. Mr. Governor should to continue the good which he has started since the beginning of his administration without listening to the voice of mindless and corrupt elements who have nothing to offer the people of Osun.”
The elder statesman prayed that Ileri Oluwa (God’s promise) will continue to manifest in the state.
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