Ekiti Governorship: Supreme Court Affirms Oyebanji’s Election

The Supreme Court sitting in Abuja has upheld the judgement of the lower courts validating the victory of the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji at the June 18 governorship election in the state.

Newsflash Nigeria learnt that in the judgement which was delivered on Thursday, said the appellant, Segun Oni, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), failed to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt.

He held that the respondents, Biodun Oyebanji and Monisade Afuye were duly elected as the governor and deputy governor of the state.

The judge added that Oyebanji was lawfully nominated as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and emerged the winner of the election conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

He also said the Mai Mala Bini caretaker committee that conducted the primaries that produced Oyebanji was in line with the constitution of the party and it should be an internal issue not to be contested by another party.

The judge also noted that the petition challenging the certificate of the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Monisade Afuye, was a plan by the appellant to circumvent the rules of law as the respondents presented a valid certificate to the electoral body.

He said the appellant failed to prove the forgery of certificate allegation against the deputy governor to a convincing level as it fails to present clear evidence to support the allegation.

In his reaction, Oyebanji hailed the verdict of the Supreme Court, which reaffirmed his election as governor of the state, describing it as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.

The Governor who spoke to journalists in Ado-Ekiti shortly after laying the foundation for the Nigerian Air Force Base restated his belief that his election as Governor was God-ordained and actualised by majority votes of the people of the state.

He also said his respect for Chief Segun Oni, a former chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) remained intact. He urged the SDP Candidate to join him in the development efforts in the state, having explored all judicial processes available.

While commending the Nigerian judiciary for being professional and for bringing an end to the litigation, the Governor appreciated the good people of Ekiti State for their prayers all through the different stages of the judicial battle.

“I give glory to God and thank Ekiti people for their prayers. It is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvellous in our sight. And I commend the Nigerian judiciary for being professional and for bringing an end to this litigation.

“We are all Ekiti, what has happened has not diminished my respect for Engineer Segun Oni, he remains my leader and brother, am going to call him and am going to visit him. He has exhibited his right as permitted by the constitution of Nigeria and now that the case is closed, all of us have to come together to develop our dear state”. He said.

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