THE SUPPOSED Electoral War which ended with the Gubernatorial Election held in Osun last July 16 has moved to the Tribunal for adjudication.
The election which witnessed an average turnout was massively in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Its candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, having polled 403, 371 votes to defeat Adegboyega Oyetola who polled 375,027 leaving a whooping 28, 344 margin of defeat.
Filing his application last week, the All Progressives Congress, APC, state Chairman, Prince Adegboyega Famodun said the party has found grounds to appeal the election and exuded anticipatory enthusiasm of impending victory.
This awakens the otherwise state that has gone to sleep after the electoral defeat of the incumbent.
Sola Akindele speaking with The Telescope Nigeria said “We had thought we have seen the lasts of the 2022 election thinking with the margin, Oyetola would accept defeat so that preparations would be towards handing over to the winner on November 26, 2022.
“But give it to politicians; they always have their pockets full of surprises. It might be a ploy not to allow the winner hug the klieg light alone and forestall massive defection of party stalwarts to the opposition.
“Think of it, Presidential and Assembly elections will come up early 2023, this would definitely have an impact on that election. The case before the tribunal would give life to an otherwise dying party”.
The party is claiming that Adeleke is not qualified to have ran the race; which legal observers said is a waste of time because that ought to be a pre election matter. It is also going to contest its losses in about ten local government areas where Adeleke trounced it. The party is claiming there was over voting in those areas.
Election watchers also dismissed this stating that the INEC’s BVAS does not give room for such.
However, Kehinde Taiwo believes “it is the right thing to do. It is his right if he feels aggrieved, the best thing to do is to approach the tribunal set up for the purpose.
“I believe we are gradually getting it right as apeople when it comes to election matters. What remains to be seen is how credible would after election legal matters would be.
“The Judiciary has received lots of bashing in recent times, but the new head of judiciary has promised a transparent judiciary”.
