It is a tale of weeping and merry for the two main presidential candidates of PDP and APC, Atiku and Tinubu respectively; following the Osun Election Tribunal ruling that ousted Adekele and recognized Oyetola.
NewsOnline reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke was sacked yesterday -Friday – by an election Tribunal that sat on the July 16, 2022, Osun governorship election case brought before it by former governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Governor Ademola Adeleke (Peoples Democratic Party) won the then-incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola (All Progressives Congress) in July 2022 governorship election.
The loss of Adeleke and the recognition of Oyetola Tribunal has more implications for the presidential candidates of PDP and APC. This implication will largely affect their chances in the February 25 presidential election.
For Atiku Abubakar, it will be a double loss in the South West. He is already losing Oyo State, adding Osun would mean his chances of getting a chunk vote from the South West has become slimmer.
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For Bola Tinubu, it is a plus to his dominance of South West. Adding Osun State to the other four states that have APC governors would mean that his chances of winning the region entirely have become more pronounced.
Reacting to the Tribunal ruling, the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, said the ruling was a puncture to democracy and people’s will. He, however, said darkness will not overshadow the light that has come to the state through Adeleke – who is also described as Imole – a Yoruba term meaning light.
Former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, has graced the news of Oyetola’s victory at the Tribunal with utmost joy. He said it is a well-deserved victory.
In a statement by the APC presidential candidate Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, Tinubu said, “I heartily rejoice with Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola on his much-deserved victory at the election tribunal today (Friday).
“It’s the victory of light over darkness, a triumph of perseverance, courage and justice over electoral fraud and democratic perversion.
Atiku on his Twitter handle said, “On today’s (Friday) verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal in Osun State, I stand in solidarity with the good people of Osun State who overwhelmingly voted for the Peoples Democratic Party and gave their mandate to His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke, What has happened at the tribunal today is a phase in the struggle to liberate Osun State, and I am sure that at the conclusion of the whole process, the people shall be victorious.
“I, therefore, call on the people of Osun to continue to have faith in their governor elected into office on the popular ballot.
“This light that has shone on Osun shall never go dim.”
