As expected, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the Osun state gubernatorial election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, have vowed to proceed to the Supreme Court to retrieve their ‘stolen mandate’.
In a reaction to Thursday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal which affirmed Governor Gboyega Oyetola as the duly elected governor of the state, a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary said the party “is not in any way shaken by the judgment” but stands with Nigerians in the confidence that justice and respect for the will of the people of Osun state will definitely prevail at the Supreme Court.
The party insisted that “there is no way the will of the people, which they openly expressed in voting for Senator Adeleke will be allowed to be lost.”
The PDP noted that the fact the Court of Appeal had a split judgment indicated that justice was not fully served at the appellate court.
“It is instructive to state that the Court of Appeal did not contest or invalidate the fact that Senator Adeleke won the election but only cited technicalities and speculations to arrive at its decision,” the statement said.
The PDP also noted that the Court of Appeal failed to act on the full and substantial import of the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the ballot papers and record of accreditation to disprove PDP’s position that INEC altered results and subverted the will of the people of Osun State.
“Our party and candidate are therefore confident that the Supreme Court will look at the merit of the matter and ensure that justice is served by recognising Senator Ademola Adeleke as Osun State Governor.”
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
