Protests In Osun Over Tribunal Judgement Sacking Oyetola

Emmanuel AmudaMarch 27, 2019

0 2 minutes read

Thousands of residents of Osun State, on Wednesday stormed the streets of Osogbo, the state capital to denounce the verdict of the state election petition tribunal that annulled the victory of Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the September 22 governorship election.

The protesters, who came together under the banner of Osun Concerned Citizens on Wednesday, were seen with placards with inscriptions describing their displeasure with the verdict.

Newsflash247 gathered that the protest started around 12 noon at Ayetoro junction and at the time of filing this report, the protesters were already at Old Garage, Osogbo.

One of the protesters, Ismail Alamu, told newsmen that the protest became necessary in order “to get our stolen mandate.”

“We are not stopping here. We shall also express our displeasure in Abuja and make sure justice is done by the higher court,” he said.

Before now, the PDP in Osun state had alleged the APC of planning to sponsor protests against the election tribunal verdict, an allegation which the APC tagged as “fabrication”.

The tribunal last week declared the PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke, as the winner of the September 22, 2018, governorship election.

The tribunal held that the rerun election conducted on September 27 was illegal. Mr Oyetola has, however, proceeded to appeal the judgement.

Mr Oyetola will, however, continue in office until all appeals are exhausted, including up to the Supreme court if he so chooses.

In his reaction, Oyetola said that he tribunal’s ruling will be tested at the Appeal Court and insisted that he is still in charge of running Osun state.

Speaking on the rally, Adeleke, in a statement issued through his Campaign Organisation said “We note with confidence in God and people that the judgement is God given based on truth and dispassiohate interpretation of the law and the constitution.

“We affirm that the judgement restored the will of the people as openly expressed on September 22 ,2018.The mobilisation of exploited O-Yes members to rally against a judgement that sets Osun people free from slave holders is reprehensible and a cowardly attempt to hoodwink the people.

“We note that that there is nothing within the judgement that is not covered by law and the constitution.The ruling to nullify the rerun ,the cancellation of results of some polling units and the declaration of Ademola Adleke as the winner are all provided for by provisions of INEC Electoral guidelines, Electoral Act, the constitution of the Federal Republic and extant judgements of various courts in the land.

“The demonstration is therefore the historic last kick of a dying horse; it is a manifestation of desperation and panic in the midst of ultimate defeat. We urge our teaming supporters to remain peaceful and law abiding.Our team is prepared to pursue this matter until ultimate judgement is granted planting the people’s Governor on the seat at Abere Government House.”

The PDP in Osun state has earlier accused the state government of budgeting N500 million to pay students and activists to protest the recent verdict of the election petition tribunal.