A Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday upheld the judgment of the lower court which affirmed Ademola Adeleke as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just-concluded governorship election in Osun State.
The judgment came about 72 hours after Adeleke was declared the winner of the Saturday, July 16 poll, garnering 403,371 votes to defeat Mr Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 375,027 votes.
A PDP chieftain, Dotun Babayemi, had contested the party’s governorship primaries at the lower court, challenging the validity of the primary conducted by the national leadership of the party, but lost.
Not satisfied with the judgment of the high court, he proceeded to the appellate court to challenge the judgment but the appellate court presided over by Justice Ayobode Lokulo-Sodipe struck out the appeal for lack of merit.
-Babayemi weighs options-
His spokesman, Mr Kayode Oladeji, said the camp of the PDP chieftain would study the judgment and take a position.
Oladeji, in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, said the judgment was being evaluated with a view to knowing the next line of action.
The statement read in part, “Unless some factors that necessitated the litigation were looked into by the party hierarchy, he (Babayemi) might explore redress at the apex court of the land being the Supreme Court.
“We are evaluating all available options and shall act in the best interest of our people. Rest assured that for the common good of our party and the people of the state, we shall take a decision about the best way forward, including a possible appeal at the Supreme Court which is highest court of the land.”
-Adeleke’s camp excited-
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the PDP Legal Committee in Osun State, Hashim Abioye, while reacting to the judgment, said Adeleke’s supporters were excited about the development.
He said, “The judgment was a welcome development. The judgment said it is only an aspirant that physically participated in a primary election conducted by the national leadership of a political party that can raise a finger of complaint regarding that primary election.
“The precedent is there and it has now become the current decision of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal. We are excited about it.”
-Certificate of return-
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday presented a certificate of return to Adeleke.
The presentation was done by the INEC National Commissioner, Supervising Osun, Ogun, and Oyo States, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, and was preceded by the presentation to the deputy governor-elect, Kola Adewusi.
In his acceptance speech after receiving the certificate at a brief ceremony held at Osun INEC headquarters in Osogbo, Adeleke dedicated his victory at the poll to the memory of his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke said, “This victory would not have been possible but for the goodwill of the patriotic men, young and old, who worked hard to make sure we reclaim our stolen mandate. I am overwhelmed by your love and support, and I do not take this trust you have bestowed on me for granted.
“Our state has now turned a new page and we can now look forward to a bright future and a path for progress and prosperity for our people.” Furthermore, I will like to specially recognise and appreciate my PDP family for their support.
“I dedicate my victory to my late brother, the first executive governor of the state, Isiaka Adeleke, and every indigene of Osun state and to all my supporters, friends, and families.”
Speaking earlier, Ajayi, who described the election as the most anticipated poll of the year, further said the election has become the standard of election management in the country.
He then assured stakeholders that INEC would remain consistent in achieving its vision of becoming one of the best election management bodies in the world.