Osun Election: Adeleke, Oyetola hopeful as S’Court delivers judgment today
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun will know the fate of their candidates in the controversy trailing the outcome of the July 16, 2022 governorship election as the Supreme Court today determines the authentic winner of the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state.
The PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke, was returned elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , but the APC candidate at the poll, Adegboyega Oyetola, rejected the result and approached the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge it.
INEC had declared Adeleke winner of the poll, saying he polled 403,371 votes to sack Oyetola who was the then incumbent with 375,027 , with Oyetola and his part alleging irregularities in the polls and challenged Adeleke’s victory .
Respite came for the former governor on January 27, 2023, as Justice Tertse Kume who gave the majority judgement upturned Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.
Justice Kume held that Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 290,266.
Not satisfied with the judgement displeased, Adeleke and the PDP headed to the Court of Appeal, which on March 24 nullified the tribunal judgment and returned Adeleke as the winner.
Aggrieved with the Appeal Court verdict, Oyetola and the PDP headed for the Supreme Court, which held the matter on Monday and fixed judgment for today (Tuesday).
Reports on the sitting of the apex court panel on Monday said that the parties adopted their briefs and addressed the court after which the panel announced Tuesday for judgment.
However, both the ruling PDP and the opposition APC are hopeful that the highest court in the land will rule in their favour to strengthen their grip on the South-Western state.
There is heavy police presence in major junctions and roundabouts in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Tuesday morning.
Areas of the town with police presence include, Olaiya junction, Oke-Fia and LAMECO roundabouts, Old Garage/Freedom Park, Ayetoro roundabout, Osun State High Court premises, among others.
The presence of the policemen armed to the teeth may not be unconnected to the judgment of the Supreme Court slated for today in Abuja.
