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Tag: Sen. Ademola Adeleke

  • Osun Poll: Tribunal reserves judgment

    Osun Poll: Tribunal reserves judgment

    The Osun Election Petitions Tribunal on Friday adjourned for judgment, the petition filed by former Gov Gboyega Oyetola, challenging the victory of Sen. Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16 governorship election.

    The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Tertsea Kume, reserved the judgment for a later day to be communicated to parties in the matter after the petitioner and respondents had adopted their final written addresses in Osogbo, the capital.

    Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had on Aug. 5, submitted a petition before the tribunal in Osogbo.

    Oyetola and APC were challenging the election results from 749 polling units across 10 local government areas of the state for various alleged electoral malpractice, especially over-voting.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Adeleke as the winner of the governorship election, having polled 403, 271 votes against 375,027 polled by Oyetola.

    Earlier, Counsel to APC, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) in his final written address, said all documents and processes were filed and submitted on Jan. 8.

    Fagbemi adopted all submitted written documents and objections on point of law and also argued all objections earlier filed by the respondents, asking the court to accede to all his submissions and requests.

    Fagbemi cited sections 51 (2) and 47(2) of the Electoral Act on cancellation of polling units where numbers of votes exceeded the numbers of registered and accredited voters .

    Also, Mr Akin Olujimi, SAN, counsel to Oyetola, said the testimonial tendered by Gov. Adeleke did not show that he attended Muslim Grammar School in Ede.

    Olujimi dismissed the claime by the repondents that Gov. Adeleke was eligible to contest election and he submitted that the testimonial that Adeleke tendered was fake because it was obtained in 1988 from Osun State, while Osun was actually created in 1991.

    According to him, the respondent should have pleaded that the mistake was a typographical issue but which they never did.

    Olujimi said all the documents tendered by the respondent’s counsel had no connection with each other, with no probative value .

    INEC Counsel , Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, in his own submissions, tendered to the court his final written addresses dated Dec. 30, 2022 and filed same date, with replies on points of law dated Jan. 9 and filed Jan.11 respectively.

    Ananaba adopted all documents submitted as his final written address, saying the duty of INEC was to certify that the respondent, Adeleke, was qualified to contest the governorship election which they did .

    He said, “the petitioners complained of over- voting and infractions by picking 749 polling units to contend with from 1750 polling units, according to the first respondent witnessed (RW1) .

    ” If deduction of 1750 units was carried out from the total 3763 units in the state, the second respondent will still emerge as winner with over 20,000 votes.”

    Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, Counsel to Gov. Ademola Adeleke, also adopted all the tendered documents filed as its final written address and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitioners application against his client.

    Ikpeazu said that the argument against Adeleke’s certificates and eligibility to contest the governorship election had been addressed by the Court of Appeal.

    On the issue of over-voting claim, Ikpeazu told the court that certified true copies of documents of accreditation was done through the BVAS machines , adding that BVAS was the primary source of accreditation.

    He further argued that extraction from INEC data base was not same as extraction from the BVAS machines .

    Ikpeazu said that petitioners agents did not contest the results of any polling units on the day of election, despite that they also signed the results which were authentic .

    ” The entries in form EC8A tallied with figures on the forms as being contended by the petitioners .

    “You can not determine over voting proper without the application of the BVAS machines,” he said .

    Counsel to PDP, Mr Alex Iziyon, SAN, also adopted all written documents filed and submitted on point of laws.

    Iziyon said the issue of forgery of certificate as contended by the petitioners had been cleared in the judgment of the Court of Appeal and had no value.

  • Osun Tribunal orders INEC Chairman to produce Adeleke’s results

    Osun Tribunal orders INEC Chairman to produce Adeleke’s results

    The Osun Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Osogbo, on Friday ordered the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, to produce Sen. Ademola Adeleke’s results used during the 2018 governorship election in Osun.

    The document tagged: “INEC Form CF001” is being demanded by Counsel for the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Petitioners.

    The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Tertsea Kume, gave the order in his ruling on the arguments and counter arguments by both the petitioners and the respondents’ counsel as regard the INEC Form CF001.

    Kume said it would amount to denying the petitioners their right to fair hearing, after the respondent (INEC) had failed to comply with the subpoena order as regard what the petitioners were demanding for.

    He said the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, represented by one Shehu Muhammed, failed to produce the Form CF001 on the excuse that they do not have the document in their custody in the state.

    The tribunal chairman said that the petitioner had shown enough grounds with regards to their application/subpoena request.

    He ordered INEC Chairman to produce the document on the next date of adjournment.

    Kume, therefore, adjourned the case until Dec.1 for further hearing.

    Newsmen recalls that the Tribunal had on Nov.16 overruled the respondents (INEC)’s oral application seeking to discountenance a subpoena brought by the petitioner.

    Newsmen further reports that the respondent had earlier brought an application to counter the subpoena request, before withdrawing such on personal grounds and it was struck out by the tribunal.

  • Tribunal grants Adeleke’s request to inspect INEC materials

    Tribunal grants Adeleke’s request to inspect INEC materials

    The Osun Election Tribunal in Osogbo on Friday, granted the request of Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) governor-elect, to inspect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) materials.

    The tribunal had also agreed on his request to conduct forensic audit of the BVAS machine.

    Justice Tertsea Kume, the Chairman of the Tribunal, granted Adeleke’s application to inspect and conduct forensic audit of the BVAS machines.

    Mr Hashim Abioye, one of  Adeleke’s Counsel, who spoke to newsmen after the proceeding, said there was the need to conduct a thorough forensic audit of the BVAS machine used for the election.

    Newsmen reports that the Tribunal had on Aug. 22, granted permission to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to inspect materials used for the July 16, governorship poll.

    Newsmen also reports that Oyetola and APC are plaintiffs in the suit earlier filed, challenging the victory of Adeleke at the governorship election.

    INEC had declared Sen. Ademola Adeleke, governor -elect, as winner of the Osun July 16 governorship elections, where he defeated the incumbent, Oyetola.

    Oyetola, who was not satisfied with the outcome of the election, dragged both INEC and Adeleke to court through his lead counsel, Mr Yomi Aliyu (SAN).

  • Osun 2022: PDP governors’ forum congratulates Sen. Adeleke

    Osun 2022: PDP governors’ forum congratulates Sen. Adeleke

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has congratulated Sen. Ademola Adeleke on his emergence as Governor-elect of Osun.

    The Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, in a statement on Sunday, described Adeleke’s victory as a landslide and welcome him to the forum.

    Tambuwal said that the Osun people reposed their trust and confidence in Adeleke because they could see his heart, full of love and concern for their wellbeing.

    “This victory is a result of the sagacity, hard work, teamwork, skilful campaigns, efficient resource allocation, openness and humility exhibited by the governor-elect.

    “He concentrated on issues that mattered most to Osun people and they responded in kind, bestowing on him and PDP an earth-shaking victory of historic proportions,” he said

    Tambuwal, however, said that Adeleke’s victory was a lesson for all that everyone matters in politics, particularly the electorate.

    “It also confirms the famous dictum that ‘God’s time is the best,” he said

    Tambuwal who said that the light had shone on Osun State, in July, added  “it was time for the light to shine on Nigeria, again through the instrumentality of the PDP, come February 2023.

    He said that the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa would come to the rescue and rebuild Nigeria.

    He congratulated the PDP family led by its National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu and his team who ensured a credible primary.

    “The PDP presidential and vice-presidential candidates must be applauded for their leadership role.

    “Perhaps, a gold medal should be reserved for Sen. Douye Diri, Bayelsa State Governor, who served as Chairman of the National Campaign Council and other PDP governors and stalwarts who played various roles that culminated in this great outcome.”

    Tambuwal also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, election observers and monitors, the media and the people of Osun, who not only voted but ensured that their votes count.

  • Osun Guber Poll: Oyetola speaks on losing re-election bid

    Osun Guber Poll: Oyetola speaks on losing re-election bid

    Osun state governor Adegboyega Oyetola has appealed to his supporters to remain calm and resolute after losing his re-election bid to Sen. Ademola Adeleke in the just concluded guber poll in the state.

    Governor Oyetola made this announcement via his media aide and chief press Secretary Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday in Osogbo.

    He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) had taken cognizance of the results of the governorship election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

    The governor, however, noted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party.

    Oyetola called on his supporters to remain calm, and the people of the state to go about their businesses without let or hindrance.

    The governor also called on security operatives to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

    Oyetola also directed security operatives to take adequate charge to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday morning declared Adeleke as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    Announcing the results at the INEC Collation Centre, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was the Returning Officer, said that Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat his closet rival, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 375,027 votes.

    The result showed that  PDP won in 17 local government areas, while APC won in 13.

    The 13 local government areas won by APC are; Ilesa East, Ayedaade, Boripe, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Boripe, Ola-Oluwa, Iwo, Asokan, Irewole, Atakumosa East, and Ife East.

    While the 17 local government areas won by PDP are; Boluwaduro, Osogbo, Ila, Atakumosa West, Ifelodun, Ilesa West, Odo-Otin, Obokun, Orolu, Olorunda, Ife North, Irepodun, Oriade, Ede South, Ejigbo, Ede North and Egbedore.

  • Osun 2022: Ademola Adeleke votes, hails INEC, security agencies

    Osun 2022: Ademola Adeleke votes, hails INEC, security agencies

    Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Governorship Candidate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cast his vote at exactly 8.50 a.m at Ward 2 polling Unit 9 in Ede North Local Government area of Osun.

    Newsmen reports that the BVAS initially rejected the thumb print of Adeleke.

    He later went through facial recognition before he was able to vote.

    Adeleke, shortly after voting, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for making the accreditation processes and voting smooth and easy.

    He said that the election was so far peaceful, expressing confidence in winning after the whole exercise and becoming the next Governor of Osun.

    Adeleke, also commended the security personnel for their commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the ongoing governorship election.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governorship election is taking place in all the 30 local government areas of Osun with 3,763 polling units and 332 registration areas.

    Also, Ede North has total registered voters of 71, 750 for the governorship election, with 151 polling units and 11 registration areas.

    Also, Ede South has 54, 880 registration voters, with 89 polling units and 10 registration areas.

  • Osun Guber: Court affirms Adeleke as PDP authentic candidate

    Osun Guber: Court affirms Adeleke as PDP authentic candidate

    A Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, on Wednesday affirmed Sen. Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic candidate of the party in the forthcoming July 16 governorship election in the state.

    Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, in his judgment, which lasted for more than 1 hour, 30 minutes, held that the primary election conducted at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, on March 8, which produced Dotun Babayemi, was null and void.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that PDP during its governorship primary elections on March 8, had held parallel primaries in the state.

    Ayo-Emmanuel, who cited Section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, after a thorough proceeding and counterarguments by both counsels, dismissed the suit filed by Babayemi.

    He said it was only the aspirant(s) that participated physically at the primary conducted by the PDP National Working Committee and not the one conducted by the party’s state executives that have power and locus standing to challenge such suit in court.

    The judge upheld the governorship primary conducted by the PDP National Working Executive Committee at the Osogbo Township Stadium that produced Adeleke.

    He said the claims of the plaintiff lacked locus standi, because he did not take part in the National Working Executive Committee primary election organised by his party on March 8, which was supervised by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    In one of the primaries held at the Osogbo City Stadium, under the supervision of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Chairman, Sen. Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner.

    However, in another primary held at the Women and Children Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF) Centre, Osogbo, Mr Dotun Babayemi, was declared the winner.

    In a list of candidates later released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Adeleke’s was recognised.

    Babayemi, however, approached the court challenging the nomination and submission of Adeleke by the PDP to INEC.

    He is also challenging the validity of the governorship primaries conducted at the stadium against the one held at WOCDIF.

    Babayemi, after the court session, told newsmen that the matter was a “family affair”.

    He said his legal and political team would review the judgment in the best interest of the state.

    Babayemi added that his decision on the judgment would be in the best interest of the state.

  • Osun not for sale to highest bidder – Oyetola campaign council to Adeleke

    Osun not for sale to highest bidder – Oyetola campaign council to Adeleke

    The Gov. Gboyega Oyetola Campaign Council has said that Osun is not for sale to the highest bidder in the July 16 governorship election.

    Reacting to comments purportedly made at the weekend by Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, the group described the statement as absurd and unacceptable.

    A statement by the Director-General of the campaign council, Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, on Monday in Osogbo, said that the boast by Adeleke to have enough money – both local and in foreign currencies – to execute his political ambition was embarrassing.

    It would be recalled that Adeleke had at the weekend during the party’s Osun Central Campaign, said “Osun people, you are the ones to decide.

    “If it is about money, I have enough. I came with plenty money.

    “And it is not only naira; I came with dollars, pounds and Euro. This time around in Osun, it is fire for fire”.

    Bashiru said that on daily basis, the PDP candidate was proving to the electorate that he had nothing to offer.

    “Osun people are not gullible. We have left them in no doubt of the quality of our party, the APC and our administration are made of, including the capacity of our candidate to deliver in the past three and half years.

    “We have proved through our inclusive governance strategy that our people are our strength and that we do not take them for granted and we will never take them for granted.

    “This explains why in spite of the way the 2018 election went, our administration began infrastructure intervention from Ede, the hometown of the PDP candidate.

    “Osun people are enlightened, they Know that the state and its citizens are not up for sale to the highest bidder.

    “Therefore, the PDP candidate should keep his money. Or better still, he could deploy those resources to establish industries to provide jobs for the people.

    ” This way, he will also be supporting the present administration’s noticeable efforts in the last three and half years to industrialise the state and change its narrative as a civil service state, to one bubbling with economic activities.

    “It is on record that the Oyetola-led administration has since inception taken concrete steps to open up the state for investments, and has been able to attract a number of investments into Osun, contributing to the economic growth of the state.

    “We assure the PDP candidate that like the administration did to other players in the private sector, we will provide a level playing ground for his business to thrive and ensure Osun and its people derive maximum benefit from the investment”, he said.

    Bashiru also cautioned Adeleke against overheating the polity with his incendiary comments and violent tendencies, wondering what he meant by saying ‘its fire for fire this time around’.

    “As a responsible party, we urge Senator Adeleke and his party to embrace peaceful conduct and decorum in their political engagements and electioneering.

    “We must avoid any comment or action that can jeopardise the peace and stability of our state,” he said.