Adeleke rejects Osun tribunal verdict, says it’s miscarriage of justice

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has rejected the judgement of the governorship election petitions tribunal that invalidated his election on account of over-voting.

He described the verdict as “a miscarriage of justice” and vowed to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

The Election Petitions Tribunal hearing the All Progressives Congress’ Adegboyega Oyetola’s petition against the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Ademola Adeleke on Friday annulled the result of the July 16 Osun governorship poll and declared Oyetola the winner.

Justice Tetsea Kume, while delivering a majority decision, declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission did not comply with the constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Reacting to the verdict of the tribunal from his country home in Ede, Adeleke faulted the resolution of over-voting in favour of Oyetola, calling it “an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters”.

He urged his supporters to remain calm, assuring them that he remained Osun governor, just as he expressed optimism that the result of the appeal would favour him.

The statement issued by Adeleke’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, read in part, “I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done. Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate,” Governor Adeleke declared.