Primary: PDP hails A’Court judgment on Adeleke’s candidacy

 

.As INEC issues certificate of return to Adeleke, bars journalists from coverage

 

 

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja and Blessing Akorowosi, Osogbo

 

 

 

The Peoples Democratic Party has hailed the Wednesday judgment by the Appeal Court in Akure, the Ondo State capital, that upheld Senator Ademola Adeleke as the rightful candidate for the Osun governorship election.

 

In a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP noted that the court judgment had put to rest all contestations regarding the validity of Adeleke’s candidacy.

 

Daily Champion reports that a PDP chieftain, Dotun Babayemi, contested the party’s governorship primary at the High Court, challenging the validity of the primary conducted by the national leadership of the party, but lost in the court.

 

Not satisfied with the judgment of the High Court, he proceeded to the appellate court to challenge the judgment but the appellate court on Wednesday also struck out his appeal.

 

Hailing the judgment in a statement, the party said, “The PDP receives with delight, the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the PDP governorship primary that produced the Osun State Governor-Elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, as the rightful candidate of the PDP for the July 16, 2022, Osun governorship poll.

 

“The Appeal Court judgment, which puts to rest all contestations regarding the validity of the candidacy of Adeleke, comes as further validation of the will and aspiration of the people of Osun State, which they overwhelmingly expressed on July 16.

 

“The judgment is a firm confirmation that the governorship primary was transparently conducted by the Senator Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee, in strict compliance with the provisions of the PDP constitution and electoral guidelines as provided by the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

 

“Our party commends the judiciary for its courage adding that the judgment has further restored the confidence of Nigerians in our judicial system and the processes of the PDP.

 

“The PDP again congratulates the people of Osun State and charges all party stakeholders in the state to remain united behind Sen. Ademola Adeleke in his determination to institute a transparent, people-oriented, and development-based government that will rebuild and revamp the state from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress.”

 

Adeleke won the governorship election with a total of 403,371 votes, beating the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who got 375,027 votes in a keenly contested race.

 

Also,The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, presented certificate of return to the Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his deputy, Kola Adewusi.

 

This is coming after the declaration of Adeleke as the winner of the July 16 governorship election in the state.

 

Speaking at the occasion held at the INEC State headquarters in Osogbo, the National Commissioner supervising Osun, Ogun and Oyo States, Prof. Kunle Ajayi commended the peaceful conduct of the electorates.

 

Prof. Ajayi described the election as a free, fair, credible and inclusive one which has drawn attention widely as the election before the 2023 general elections.

 

He noted that INEC is consistent in achieving its vision to become one of the best election management bodies in the world and acting on its core values of independence, impartiality, neutrality and transparency.

 

In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji urged the governor-elect to fulfil his campaign promises.

 

Prof Raji stated that the citizens should be provided with basic amenities to make life easy for the people.

 

He said, “Osun State Gubernatorial Election has come and gone, but I need to reiterate these points that our democracy will be stronger if we come together to do the right things such as–

Campaigning with fulfilable promises,

Modeling positive attitude and behavior while in office; Fulfilling campaign promises; Doing away with money politics; Electorates are not asking for too much, just basic amenities to make every day life easy; Enthronement of internal democracy within the political parties; Abiding by these steps will not only make life easy for INEC but also ensure hitch free electoral processes.”

 

Receiving the certificate, Adeleke appreciated the people of Osun for electing him, saying he does not take the trust bestowed on him for granted.

 

“This victory would not have been possible but for the goodwill of the patriotic men young and old who worked hard to make sure we reclaim our stolen mandate.

 

“I am overwhelmed by your love and support and I do not take this trust you have bestowed on me for granted. Our state has now turn to a new page and we can now look forward to a bright future and a path for progress and prosperity for our people.

 

“I dedicate my victory to my late brother, the first executive governor of the state, Isiaka adeleke and every indigene of Osun state and to all my supporters, friends and families,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, journalists were barred from covering the issuance of certificate of return.

 

Journalists from the NUJ Correspondents’ chapel in the state were at the Commission’s gate before the slated time,10am but were turned back at the gate by the security agents.

 

They were told that only four journalists were allotted for the coverage of the event which is unusual as the media outfits enlisted were broadcast organisations.

 

Also, security agents at the gate of INEC state headquarters office harassed journalists when they attempted to enter into the Commission’s premises to carry out their constitutional duty.

 

Journalists are however, furious with the action of INEC as it had been cooperating with the Commission before, during and after the election which should be sustained.