Unic Press UK: In a 2:1 verdict, a three-man Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja has ruled that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ademola Adeleke is the true winner of the Osun State Governorship Election 2018.
In its judgment delivered Friday, the Tribunal declared that the supplementary election in seven polling units on September 27, 2018 that led to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Gboyega Oyetola being declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is illegal, void and null as the PDP candidate, Ademola Adeleke had clearly won the initial election on September 22, 2018.
Two of the three-man panel agreed that the Osun state election returning officer, who cancelled the results in 7 Polling Units and ordered a supplementary election, has no powers under the Electoral Act to make such a decision. However, the chairman of the Tribunal, Mohammed Surajo gave a dissenting opinion.
In a tweet on the ruling, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar said: “Truly, the judiciary is the last hope of the common man and the defender of our democracy. Congratulations Sen. Ademola Adeleke”
The APC says it will appeal against the Tribunal decision.