The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has described the victory of former governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola at the election tribunal as the will of the people prevailing.
Recall that PODIUM REPORTERS had reported on Friday that the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal declared Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as winner of the July 16 governorship election in the State
Delivering judgment, two out of the three-member panel of the tribunal held that Oyetola was able to prove that there was over-voting in some of the polling units that had rigged the victory for Ademola Adeleke.
In a statement on Friday by Richard Olatunde, chief press secretary to Akeredolu, the governor said the tribunal judgment will deepen the country’s democratic values.
“We received with delight, the news of the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal which declared Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as winner of the July 16 governorship election in the State,” the statement reads.
“This is indeed a victory for democracy. No doubt, the judgment will further consolidate and deepen our country’s democratic values and Election Petitions jurisprudence. It will also sustain the faith of the people in our democratic process.
“The will of the people has prevailed. I congratulate my dearest brother, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Ileri-Oluwa). I also rejoice with the good people of Osun State and the entire APC family. This is a victory for all.
“While we relish the victory of the moment, I like to assure my dearest brother, Gboyega that we will be with him all the way to the Supreme Court. We shall hold hands together and march on this path of shared conviction. At the end, this victory shall be permanent.
“Evidently, this ruling has put paid to issues surrounding the election. We are confident that this mandate restored will provide a new lease of life for Osun State. We urge our party members to savour this victory with joy while also seeing it as a great booster ahead of the forthcoming elections.”