The Election tribunals sitting in Abuja has declared the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governorship candidate in Osun state Senator Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Osun Gubernatorial election
At its sitting in Abuja on Friday, the tribunal voided the cancellation of elections in seven polling units in the state, therefore holding that Gboyega Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not validly returned.
Reading the ruling on behalf of a three-member panel of judges, Justice Peter Obi held that the returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had no powers to cancel the election in the seven polling units on September 22, 2018, which led leading to the rerun election on September 27, 2018.
The preliminary objection was filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the election, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The three defendants claimed that the petition of the PDP and its candidate was incompetent and the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to hear it.
Delivering a ruling on the preliminary objection, Justice Obiora Obi who is a member of the three-man Tribunal held that the petition was competent.
He also stated that the Tribunal has the jurisdiction to hear and determine it.
The judge held that there was merit in the appeal filed by the PDP and Senator Adeleke, adding that the declaration and return of Governor Oyetola by INEC was null and void.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party have reacted to the latest victory and here are some of them.
Breaking News! The Osun State Gubernatorial Election Tribunal has declared the @OfficialPDPNig Guber Candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, winner of the Election…Says, Supplementary Election, not known to law @iam_Davido @IsiakaAdeleke1 pic.twitter.com/fJkAoF49Mo
— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) March 22, 2019
Gov-Elect Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke of PDP and Osun State.
I told you guys we won that election.
On to the next: no time. https://t.co/DaNQMemfDr
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) March 22, 2019
Congratulations to Governor-elect Demola Adeleke and the Osun state @OfficialPDPNig on a great victory at the election tribunal. We have done it! My state, Osun state has finally gone PDP. I am overjoyed and overwhelmed. Praise the Lord! To him alone be the glory!
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) March 22, 2019
Truly, the judiciary is the last hope of the common man and the defender of our democracy. Congratulations Sen. Ademola Adeleke, @IsiakaAdeleke1. https://t.co/FfcGxhjg64
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 22, 2019
Meanwhile, The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has finally filed his petition against the victory of President Muhmmadu Buhari at the February 23 presidential election.
Atiku and the PDP are challenging the election of Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds of alleged massive rigging, malpractices, and noncompliance substantially with the electoral laws.
In the petition filed Monday evening, Atiku and the PDP are praying that they be declared winner of the February 23 presidential election.
In the alternative, the two petitioners prayed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to nullify the poll and ordered for a fresh election that will be conducted in lines with provisions of the electoral laws.
Although a copy of the petition cannot be obtained at the filing of the report, the National Legal Adviser of the PDP Emmanuel Enoidem, confirmed to journalists at the Court of Appeal, venue of the tribunal that the petition has been filled.
Channels Tv quoted Enoidem as saying that the PDP and its presidential candidate had already assembled a powerful legal team, comprising 20 Senior Advocate of Nigeria and other retinues of lawyers who will establish the fact of the petition.
According to him, over 400 witnesses have also been assembled to testify during the hearing of the petition.