I Remain Osun State Governor, Says Oyetola | Nairalaw

Osun State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola Saturay said he would
remain in office pending the determination of his appeal
challenging last Friday’s judgment of the election petition
tribunal.

Oyetola said his faith in the judiciary remains unshaken despite
of the tribunal judgement, which nullified his election on
Friday

He made the remarks while inspecting some on-going road and
drainage projects in the state capital, Osogbo, enjoining the
public to disregard the insinuations that he had been sacked,
saying he was confident of retaining his mandate at the appellate
court.

He said the outcome of the lower court did not in anyway affect
the validity of the votes freely and willing given to him by the
people of the state, saying since the constitution allowed him to
file an appeal against the judgment, he remained the legitimate
governor of the state.

The governor said: “I am confident that our mandate will be
reaffirmed at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. As you all
know, it was a split judgment, telling us that it was not a
unanimous decision. This is part of our strength at the Appellate
Court

“I must correct the impression that I have been removed from
office I remain the governor of Osun till all the electoral
litigations are finalised.

“So, my visit to this site is in furtherance of our commitment
to ensure a better life for all residents of the state and to
demonstrate that governance brought about by our government
continues”, he said.

Oyetola, who had earlier received the leaders and members of the
All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Government House had assured
the teeming supporters of the party that he would come victorious
at the end of the electoral litigation.

He called on the party loyalists to remain calm and expressed
confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice as it remained the
‘hope for a common man’

In a state broadcast yesterday in Osogbo, Oyetola explained that
in accordance with the dictates of the law, his government remained
intact pending the decision of the higher courts.

He said the status quo “remains while the business of governance
continues under his watch” and said that he had directed all law
enforcement agencies, as a matter of duty, to continue to maintain
law and order across the state.

He said, ”I address you this day to inform you that, in response
to the judgment of the Osun Governorship Election Tribunal, sitting
at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Friday, we have gone on
appeal to challenge the split decision of the Tribunal.

“This split decision notwithstanding, our confidence in the
judiciary remains unshaken, which is why we are going back to it
for necessary review through the appellate court.

“In accordance with the dictates of law, our government remains
intact pending the decision of the higher courts. The status quo
remains, and the business of governance continues under my
watch.

“I have directed all law enforcement agencies as a matter of
duty to continue to maintain law and order across the state.

“I would, therefore, appeal to you all to remain calm and go
about your legitimate businesses, while we explore the instruments
of the law to reaffirm the mandate that you freely gave to us.

“I thank you for your support all the way and urge you to remain
faithful to the kernels that have made our state the land of
virtue.”

The tribunal had declared Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election held in
September 28, 2018.

The three-member panel held that the supplementary election that
held on September 27, 2018, was illegal. It, therefore, deducted
the votes scored by the APC candidate, Oyetola, in the
supplementary poll.

The tribunal said Adeleke won the election at the first ballot
on September 22, declaring Oyetola is null and void in a majority
decision.However, one member of the panel held a contrary view.