Gboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State, has insisted that he remains Governor of the state until all legal issues surrounding
his election are sorted out.
He said this in response to a judgment by the Osun Elections Petitions Tribunal,
which declared Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-
elect of the state.
The tribunal had nullified the rerun
election held in the state, which had seen
Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) emerge winner of the election.
However, at an inspection of ongoing road
and drainage projects in Osogbo, the Osun
State capital, on Saturday, Oyetola urged
the people of the state to go about their
normal activities.
His words:
“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.
"
In a state broadcast on Saturday as well,
Oyetola 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.”
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