The court of appeal in Abuja is set to deliver judgement today on the suit between Osun gubernatorial candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Ahead of the judgement, Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDC) said it had deployed personnel to critical infrastructure in the state ahead of the judgment.
Kukuruku News recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the PDP candidate winner of the election which held July 16, 2022 but was challenged in court by the APC.
Adeleke garnered 403,371 votes, to defeat then incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who got 375,027 votes.
In its January 27, 2023 majority verdict, the Justice Tertse Kume-led tribunal annulled Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.
However, a minority judgment by Justice B. Ogbuli affirmed Adeleke as the winner of the poll.
Following the drama between the factions, Adeleke and the PDP headed for the Court of Appeal.
In its January 27, 2023 majority verdict, the Justice Tertse Kume-led tribunal annulled Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.
However, a minority judgment by Justice B. Ogbuli affirmed Adeleke as the winner of the poll.
The Court of Appeal heard the appeal on March 13 and reserved its judgment.
A member of Oyetola and APC legal team, Mr. Muhydeen Adeoye, told newsmen on Thursday that the Court of Appeal had notified the parties that the judgment would be delivered on Friday (today).
The Osun PDP Director of Media, Oladele Olabamiji, speaking on the development said his party was hopeful that the Court of Appeal would restore Adeleke’s victory.
His words: “We are expecting justice for the electorate in Osun, who collectively voted for the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke. We expect justice in line with the weight of evidence presented before the court.”
Similarly, spokesperson for the Osun APC, Mr. Kola Olabisi, also said he was positive that the party would come out in flying colours.
“We are optimistic that we are going to come out in flying colours because of our iron-cast evidence before the court,” Olabisi said.
Meanwhile, a statement by the acting Public Relations Officer of the Command, Kehinde Adeleke, said, “Ahead of Friday’s Appeal Court judgment on the matter between Governor Ademola Adeleke and Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola; there is strategic deployment of personnel around critical infrastructure in the state.
“There will also be patrol by armed detachment of the corps in readiness for emergency response. The command is ready to prevent any breakdown of law and order arising from possible protests by aggrieved parties.”
