The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo has nullified the election of Ademola Adeleke as Governor of the state.
In a split document of two to one, the tribunal declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not comply substantially with the Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The tribunal chairman, Justice Tetsea Kume, who read the majority decision, deducted the over-voting observed from the votes scored by the candidates and declared Oyetola the validly elected governor of the state.
He directed INEC to withdraw Ademola Adeleke’s certificate of return and issue the same to Oyetola, who won a majority of the lawful votes of 314,931 while Adeleke had 219,666.
Gov. Ademola Adeleke was sworn into office on Sunday, November 28, 2022. His inauguration ceremony will graced by a handful of family members, including his nephew, Nigerian superstar, Davido.
However, on August 2022, Oyetola, a former Osun governor, and the APC petitioned the tribunal to challenge Adeleke’s victory in the election.
Among several issues, Oyetola contended that there was overvoting in 749 polling units across 10 local government areas of the state.
He also argued that Adeleke forged the academic credentials he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest for the election.
