Osun Tribunal: Hold Gov. Adeleke Responsible If Crises Erupt After Judgement – Group

• His Statement On “Our Mandate Can’t Be Hijacked” Is Inciting

An Abuja based civil society organisation, Peace and Justice Initiative (PJI) has chided the governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, over his statement on the yet-to-be delivered Osun State governorship petition tribunal judgement, describing it as reckless and capable of encouraging citizens to go violent if the judgement does not favour him.

The election tribunal sitting in Osogbo has reserved a date to give its judgement on the petition filed by former governor of the state, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, challenging the declaration of Adeleke as winner of the July 16 governorship election held in the state.

However, during a camapign rally of Osun Central Senatorial District this Tuesday, Adeleke was quoted to have said he would not allow anybody to, through the backdoors, hijack the will of Osun People as was done in 2018.

According to Governor Adeleke, “Yes, we are aware that Oyetola and his gang are looking for all possible means to buy their way…. The people of Osun have spoken on July 16th, 2022. Nothing can change what they have stamped with their votes.”

Reacting to Adeleke’s remarks, Comrade Fidelis Anosike who signed a press statement on behalf of Peace and Justice Initiative warned Osun governor to always weigh his statements because they might have far-reaching implication on the peaceful co-existence in the state.

According to Anosike, “The governor’s outburst is undemocratic. It is uncharitable and unfortunate. It is unfortunate to note that a governor who swore to uphold the sanctity of Nigeria’s Constitution is often found criticising the judgement of the apex court in the land. Adeleke, for God’s sake, in 2018/2019 explored all the litigation opportunities availed him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he was found to have been defeated by Governor Oyetola. This is the fact. Whatever reservation holds by the new governor or members of his political party is a mere opinion which should not be expressed in the public. Saying the judgement of 2019 that affirmed the election of Oyetola was purchased is most unpatriotic and should not have come from a state governor.”

Anosike went further, “The governor is not right to have said ‘the people of Osun have spoken on July 16 and nothing can change it.’ The statement is heavy and has tendency to achieve sinister motives when the ruling of the tribunal does not go his way. Election has different stages to it. The first stage is Voter Registration. The second stage is Balloting, which was done July 16, 2022, in Osun State; while the third stage, which is the last one, is Petition Tribunal/Litigation. It is the Litigation aspect of the exercise an aggrieved party in the election, Oyetola, is exploring and it is within his constitutional rights to do so. And until the case is dispensed off at the Tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, no one can say with the tone of finality that the election is complete or that people have spoken.”

Anosike advised the state governor should conduct himself in a more dignifying way in this period when people’s fears are already stretched to the limit.

“Governor Adeleke should move from his petty partisanship to a more statesmanly pedestal which befits his new status. He should prove his critics wrong that he is not only a man of the people, but he is a man of peace. Therefore, he must do everything to dispell the rumour that he is an encourager of thuggery, violence and brigandage in the state. The APC allegations that Adeleke’s Government and party are equipping hoodlums from neighbouring states with guns and other dangerous weapons to unleash mayhem on the state and members of the opposition party when the upcoming tribunal decision does not favour the governing party are weighty. The Governor should understand his office and person may be called to question if the state goes up in flame, ” Anosike concluded.