The Supreme Court in Abuja has announced that it will deliver its judgment on the disputed governorship election held on July 16 in Osun state. The decision was made by a panel of five justices, led by John Okoro, after all the parties involved presented their written briefs in the case. This development brings the resolution of the contentious election one step closer.
Earlier, in January, the Osun governorship election tribunal declared that Gboyega Oyetola had successfully demonstrated that there was over-voting in certain polling units. As a result, the tribunal's majority ruling instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to invalidate the certificate of return issued to Ademola Adeleke and issue a new one to Oyetola, recognizing him as the duly elected governor of Osun. However, Adeleke was dissatisfied with this decision and decided to appeal.
On March 24, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the ruling and reinstated Adeleke as the rightful governor of the state. The three-member panel of justices presiding over Adeleke's appeal concluded that the election tribunal had made an error by accepting the claims of over-voting presented by Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party.
Adeleke's appeal emphasized two key points. Firstly, he argued that there was no majority judgment since the second judge on the panel, Rabi Bashir, had failed to provide her opinion as required by the constitution. Secondly, he challenged the tribunal's jurisdiction to hear the petition, asserting that it had neglected to consider the preliminary objection he had filed against the petitioners.
Now, with the Supreme Court scheduled to deliver its judgment on Tuesday, the fate of the disputed governorship poll in Osun state hangs in the balance. The decision will be eagerly awaited by supporters of both Adeleke and Oyetola, as it will determine who will ultimately occupy the highest office in the state.
