APC Knocks Tribunal Over Osun Guber Poll’s Verdict

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has rejected the Election Petition Tribunal verdict declaring Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the September 22, 2018 governorship election in the State.

A terse statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Kunle Oyatomi in Osogbo said; ”the verdict cannot stand superior legal scrutiny. Therefore we will appeal against it”.

The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had declared PDP’s Adeleke as the bonafide winner of the governorship election that was held in the state in September.

According to the tribunal, in a two-to-one split ruling, held that Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was not the valid winner of both the September 22 and 27 re-run elections.

It nullified the Certificate of Return the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued to Oyetola, even as it awarded a cost of 200,000.00 against him and the APC.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Peter Obiora, the tribunal held that the State Returning Officer of INEC that cancelled results of seven polling units in four LGAs of the state, which led to the September 27 re-run poll, had no powers to do so and therefore invalidate the outcome of the re-run election.

“We hold that the cancellation was unlawful and ultra-vires of his powers. The cancellation cannot stand, being a product of illegality”, the tribunal held.

However, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, said he disagreed with the lead verdict