The Court of Appeal in Abuja is set to deliver judgment to determine the winner of the July 16 governorship election in Osun State in an appeal by Governor Ademola Adeleke challenging the decision of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which sacked him from office.
The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had deployed personnel to critical infrastructure in the state ahead of the judgment.
Recall that on Friday, 27 January 2023, Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal annulled the result of the July 16 Osun governorship poll and declared that Adegboyega Oyetola, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking a second term in office won the election.
Justice Tetsea Kume, while delivering a majority decision, declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission did not comply substantially with the constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
He subsequently deducted the over-voting observed from the votes scored by the candidates and declared that Oyetola won the election, having polled 314, 921, while Adeleke’s score came down to 290, 266.
Justice Kume directed INEC to withdraw Adeleke’s certificate of return and issue another one to Oyetola who won a majority of the lawful votes.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.