Former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain calm and not to be discouraged over the outcome of the Appeal Court’s judgment, saying the last is yet to be heard on the governorship.
Reacting to the Appeal Court judgement, which upturned the decision of the Tribunal that initially sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oyetola, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, noted that his belief in the judiciary also remains unshaken.
Oyetola reiterated that his abiding faith in God to reclaim his mandate remains undoubted.
“We have heard the judgement of the Appeal Court, but we are yet to receive a copy of the judgement. However, from the snippets we are getting, we believe we have a potential ground to approach the Supreme Court.
“Our belief in the judiciary remains unshaken, just as my abiding faith in God’s promise regarding the reclaim of my mandate remains undoubted. I, therefore, appeal to our supporters and party members to remain calm as we take the next step.”
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has extended a hand of fellowship and sportsmanship to Oyetola. He urged him to join hands with his administration in building the State together.
Speaking after the Court of Appeal’s judgment on Friday, Adeleke, in a statement he personally signed, said: “Let me use this opportunity to extend sincere hands of fellowship to former Governor Oyetola and the APC. Let’s build the State together. Let us unite for the good of our people. The State needs leaders across party lines to join hands for robust and accelerated development of the State.
“As brothers and sisters, we are all requested to start the process of healing. Forget party politics as the election is over. All members of the political class in Osun State should join hands with me to take our State to greater heights.
“I thank God Almighty and our good people of Osun State. I dedicate this victory to God and my people. This judgement confirmed my earlier position that the judgement of the Tribunal is a miscarriage of Justice.
“The judiciary has right the wrongs of the lower Court. This has rekindled the confidence of the nation in the integrity of the judiciary as the stabiliser of the judiciary and the last hope of the common man.
“I am particularly glad that the Court of Appeal has ruled that the BVAS machine and voters register are the primary sources, not the report from the server.
“This has strengthened our democracy and removed a time bomb, which the judgement of the Tribunal had planted for our democracy.
”I appreciate Osun people for standing by me and my party through repeated validation of my governorship mandate at the recent federal and state elections.
“My party won three straight elections from July 16th 2022 to March 18th, 2023. It was a resounding vote of confidence in my governorship by the people of Osun State. The judiciary has now confirmed the will of the people that I am the validly elected Governor of my State.
”My appreciation goes to the civil servants, artisans, market people, clerics, students, women and youth. Osun people defended the mandate from 2022 to date.
“I commend the judiciary for resisting all pressure. Rule of law is strengthened when judgement affirms the will of the people. On behalf of Osun people and my party, the PDP, we appreciate the judiciary and the men of conscience on the bar and the bench.”
