By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, May 10, 2023 (NAN) Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun has congratulated his successor, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, on the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed him as the winner of July 16, 2022 governorship election.
Oyetola in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo, said:”I accept the court’s verdict which upheld Adeleke’s election.
“To Gov. Adeleke, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the Supreme Court.
“While I pray for your tenure to be prosperous for our people and the state and I urged you to focus on delivery of good governance.
“Politics aside, time has come to let you know that the interest of the masses must be most paramount without any restriction or discrimination whether based on political persuasion, creed or religion.
” Whatever personal differences we have must give way to the advancement of our great state.
” The security of Osun people must be guaranteed regardless of their religious and political affiliations. I pray for peace and progress in your tenure,” he said.
Oyetola, said though the verdict of the apex court was against the wish of his party, he accepts it in the interest of peace and development of the state.
The former governor urged members of his political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC), his supporters and those who voted him during the governorship election, to accept the judgement as the will of God and move on.
“We strongly believe we presented a good case before the Supreme Court, but the Court thought otherwise and has given its verdict.
” While the outcome is against our wish and that of our party members and supporters, we are all bound to accept it as law-abiding citizens.
“To our members and supporters across the state, I urge you all to accept the verdict of the Court and move on. The present situation is a win-win for us. It is both a loss and victory rolled into one. While we lost Osun technically, we gained Nigeria,” he said.
Oyetola, who asked the APC members and supporters not to feel sad and depressed over the decision of the Court, encouraged them to brace up for the tasks ahead of the party.
He also appreciated the leadership of the party in the state and at the national level for their commitment and support throughout the period of the legal tussle.
“I remain committed to the growth and development of Osun. I will therefore continue to work with well-meaning citizens of Osun, associations and institutions to facilitate development to our dear state.
Similarly, he urged all citizens of Osun to continue to exhibit the Omoluabi ethos and uphold the dreams of our forebears for the State, irrespective of party affiliations”, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had affirmed Adeleke’s victory on March 24.
The Osun tribunal had on Jan. 27 , annulled Adeleke’s victory and declared Gboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress as the valid winner of the poll after the Independent National Electoral Commission had returned Adeleke as the winner of the poll. (NAN)
