The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

In a majority decision of five-to-two, read by Justice Olabode Rodes-Vivour, the apex court held that the failure of a member of the election tribunal, Justice Peter Obiora to sit on February 6, 2019 rendered the entire proceedings and the judgment given by the tribunal a nullity.

The court upheld the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the victory of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Osun State.

While congratulating Oyetola on his victory, Senator Adeleke stated that he has taken the judgement of the Supreme Court concerning the governorship election in the state in good faith.

He appreciated the leaders and members of the PDP as well as the people of Osun for supporting him all through the legal battle, noting that his ambition to be Governor of Osun was never a do-or-die affair.

In a statement issued after the ruling, Adeleke said the Supreme Court remains the highest in the land.

“As a democrat and law-abiding citizen, I accept the ruling no matter my misgivings. I wish Governor Oyetola well in the governance of Osun State. In all circumstances, we must thank God Almighty. We gallantly fought a good fight in pursuance of a democratic cause. The ideals we fought for lives on,” he said.

“Our ambition was never a do-or-die affair. We aspired to serve and deliver democratic dividends to the people of Osun state. Our ambition was altruistic. We wish Governor Oyetola the best in the governance of the state.”

The PDP Osun state branch says it has accepted the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Gov. Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the September 2018 governorship election in the state.

Mr Soji Adagunodo, the State PDP Chairman said since the Supreme court is the apex court in the land, there was no where the party could appeal again.

Adagunodo said the minority judgment dealt with the constitutional issue of the matter, which according to him, was the most important while the majority judgment dealt with the technical issues.

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Oyetola on his victory

The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said “The decision of the apex court lays to rest the tussle over the governorship of Osun State and removes all encumbrances on the path of the Governor from fully delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of the State.”

He commended the government and people of Osun for allowing the rule of law to run its entire course, urging them as well as security agencies to sustain the peace.

He called on the victorious Governor and the ruling APC to be magnanimous in victory and make concrete moves towards inclusive governance as may be necessary.

President Buhari also expressed the Federal Government’s continued willingness to partner with the State Government for the betterment of the people going forward.

Also congratulating Governor Oyetola, the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan equally urged him to be magnanimous in victory.

Lawan, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Isa described the judgement as victory to democracy, the APC and the people of Osun.

He urged Oyetola to put behind him past events during the electioneering and its aftermath litigation, and concentrate on tackling the challenges facing the state, advising him to run an all-inclusive government where everybody in the state would be carried along.

Lawan said: “Your victory is a great joy and achievement for our party. We are delighted that after a long legal battle, Osun state can finally settle down for good governance. My advice to you as you champion the course of governance in the state is to see every indigene of the state as equal partner and stakeholder in driving the wheel of progress. Let your reign be exceptional by being magnanimous and focused.”

The Senate President also called on the people to give maximum support and cooperation to the Governor for the interest and progress of the state.

“Now that the legal battle is over, let us come together and embrace one another in the general interest of the State,” he said.

Former Vice President and PDP Presidential Candidate in the 2019 General Elections, Mr Atiku Abubakar  has consoled Senator Adeleke over the loss of his appeal at the Supreme Court’ ruling of the Osun State Governorship Election.

Reacting to the judgment, Atiku who is also challenging President Buhari’s victory in court in a series of tweets said Supreme Court which ruled has the judicial finality, so the legal case is over.

“Those who think this is the end of the road for Senator Adeleke and the PDP in Osun, are greatly mistaken. This is not the end. Not even the beginning of the end. No. Today marks the continued ascendancy of Senator Adeleke and his party in the hearts and minds of his people.”

He added: ‘I join with people of goodwill all over Nigeria to say to Senator Ademola Adeleke, and the people of the great state of Osun, that we stand with them in good times and in difficult days.

“The Supreme Court has ruled and because of its judicial finality, the legal case is over. However, the love, acceptance and endorsement that the people of Osun bestowed on both Senator Adeleke and the @OfficialPDPNig is not over and cannot be overlooked,” he said.