Supreme Court Confirms Adeleke As Osun Governor

Supreme Court of Justice, Nigeria apex court has confirmed Senator Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the 2022 Osun State Governorship election.

Justices of the apex court struck out an appeal by former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Channels Television, the apex court held that the appellant failed to adduce enough evidence to prove his allegation of overvoting in the July 16, 2022 governorship poll.

The judgment was affirmed and adopted by the entire five members of the panel.

According to all the members of the panel, the appeal by Oyetola lacked merit.

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court of Justice on Monday fixed Tuesday to decide the actual winner of the 2022 governorship election in Osun State.

The Supreme Court, had reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the judgment of Appeal court, which upheld the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as governor of Osun State.

Supreme Court five-member panel, led by Justice John Iyang Okoro, after listening to counsel to Oyetola, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Adeleke, Oyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN and Alex Iziyon, SAN, who appeared for the PDP, fixed Tuesday for the judgement.

Other members of the panel are: Justices M. Lawal Garba, Tijjani Abubakar, Adamu Ojauro and Akomaye Agim.

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, represented by Professor Paul Ananaba, SAN, did not file any process in the appeal being decided following the decision of the court and that of the counsel to consolidate all the appeal into one.

It would be recalled after the July 16 governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke was declared winner of the election on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

At the end of the Tribunal proceedings, Oyetola was declared winner after the deduction of the invalid votes. But the Appeal court set aside the decision of the Tribunal on the ground that a voters register was necessary to prove over-voting.

Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, a video emerged online showing the Osun State Civil servants in jubilation.