Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday, hailed the verdict of the Supreme Court that reaffirmed his election as the Governor of Ekiti State.

He described the verdict as “a victory for democracy and the good people of Ekiti State, who voted me as their governor.”

The apex court, on Thursday, in Abuja, dismissed the petition of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Chief Segun Oni, challenging the victory of Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress in the June 18, 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Oyebanji spoke in Ado-Ekiti shortly after laying the foundation for the Nigerian Air Force Base, saying his election as governor was God-ordained and actualised by majority votes of the people of the state.

The governor, who said his respect for Oni, a former chieftain of the APC, remained intact, and urged the SDP candidate to join him in the development efforts in the state, having explored all judicial processes available.

He said, “We are all Ekiti; what has happened has not diminished my respect for Segun Oni; he remains my leader and brother, I am going to call him and I am going to visit him. He has exhibited his right as permitted by the constitution of Nigeria and now that the case is closed, all of us have to come together to develop our dear state.”

While commending the Nigerian judiciary for being professional and for bringing an end to the litigation, the governor appreciated the Ekiti people for their prayers all through the different stages of the judicial battle.

“I give glory to God and thank Ekiti people for their prayers. It is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvellous in our sight. And I commend the Nigeria judiciary for being professional and for bringing an end to this litigation,” he said.

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