ABUJA, Nigeria – President-Elect Bola Tinubu congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on his Supreme Court victory on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, urging him to unite the state and work towards its progress.
Tinubu emphasized that the apex court’s verdict must be respected in order to uphold democracy and the rule of law.
Adeleke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), faced a legal challenge from Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the July 16, 2022, gubernatorial election. While the Tribunal initially sacked Adeleke, both the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court affirmed his victory as the rightful winner.
In a statement released by his office, President-Elect Tinubu commended Adeleke on his win: “I congratulate Mr. Ademola Adeleke over his declaration by the Supreme Court as the winner of Osun Governorship election. The apex court in the land has spoken, and all of us must obey its verdict. It is the right thing to do for democracy and rule of law to continue to thrive in the land.”
Tinubu also praised the former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, for exercising his democratic rights and commended his service to the state: “Governor Oyetola discharged himself creditably in office. He lost the office but did not lose his integrity and reputation as the governor who brought efficiency, transparency, and accountability to the business of governance.”
With the legal battle now over, Tinubu called upon Governor Adeleke to focus on the tasks ahead: “I urge Governor Adeleke to immediately settle down to work and continue from where the former governor left it. He should now move to unite the state.” He also encouraged the people of Osun to work together for peace and progress in their state.
