The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) congratulated the Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state after the Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed his victory in the gubernatorial election on July 16, 2022.
In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Tuesday in Abuja, the party described the court’s verdict as the final triumph of Osun’s people’s will.
“The Supreme Court ruling has further restored the confidence Nigerians have in the institution of the judiciary and the hope that democracy will be maintained in our country,” he said.
Mr. Ologunagba praised the Supreme Court for its courage in upholding justice and reaffirming the saying that “the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“Our party reaffirms its charge to Governor Adeleke to continue his drive to reposition and rebuild the state in accordance with the PDP’s people-oriented policies, programs and manifesto,” he said.
In Osun, the state chapter of the PDP also applauded the sentence.
The party’s state spokesman, Oladele Olabamiji, said the Supreme Court upheld the electorate’s wish and mandate.
“We thank God and especially the good people of Osun for maintaining their determination to elect PDP Senator Adeleke as governor of the state.
“It is not enough to hijack the popular mandate of the people through the courts.
“Elections must be won at the polling stations and that is what the Supreme Court has just done with the Osun electoral matter,” he said.
Mr Olabamiji said the people of Osun should expect to enjoy the dividends of democracy when Mr Adeleke is fully established in office.
Also reacting to the court’s decision, Teslim Igbalaye, State Government Secretary, applauded the ruling and thanked God for the victory.
Mr Igbalaye said the people of Osun should expect a quality government from the PDP and Mr Adeleke now that the electoral dispute is over.
In Lagos state, PDP spokesman Hakeem Amode told NAN the chapter was elated that the Supreme Court reaffirmed the mandate given to Adeleke in the election.
Amode said the high court ruling had put an end to the legal battles and would allow Adeleke to face the task of bringing the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of Osun residents.
“Lagos State PDP leaders and our gubernatorial candidate Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran (JANDOR) and our party members sincerely rejoice with Adeleke on her Supreme Court victory.
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“It is reassuring and boosts our party’s morale in the various ongoing cases in election petition courts across the country, including Lagos State.
“We look forward to getting justice in all of our court cases across the country.
“If our judiciary analyzes various cases on their merits and is consistent in the administration of justice, hope will be rekindled and our democracy will be deepened.
“Justice should not be for sale, it should not be for the highest bidder. All election cases must be considered on their merits and adjudicated fairly,” Mr. Amode said.
Praising the judiciary, Mr Amode said judges were expected to be honest without being intimidated or influenced by corrupt politicians in any matter brought before them.
According to him, the judiciary is expected to be the hope of the people, “but what is happening today in our climate worries many people.
“Our society is what it is today because of the compromise in our justice system.
“The only way our society can be more sensible and compete favorably with the Western world is when evil people, regardless of their influence and wealth, power and position, are no longer able to evade justice in the courts of law.
“We are happy with this ruling and we want justice to be delivered in all cases of voter fraud in the recently concluded general elections.”
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abuja High Court on Tuesday upheld the Court of Appeal’s ruling of March 24, declaring Mr. Adeleke as the legitimate governor of Osun.
In passing judgment, a five-member panel of the high court held that the Court of Appeal correctly reinstated Mr. Adeleke as Governor.
The panel of judges headed by Judge John Okoro while handing down the sentence prepared by Judge Emmanuel, dismissed the appeal filed by Mr. Oyetola as lacking merit.