By Frank Momoh
Mixed feelings on Friday gripped Osun State, following the Supreme Court ruling which upheld the electoral victory of the incumbent Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola.
President Muhammadu Buhari, has therefore congratulated the Governor following the Court ruling which affirmed Oyetola’s victory in the State Governorship election of September 2018.
Meanwhile, the former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, has maintained his stance that he stand by Senator Ademola Adeleke, also following the unfavourable judgement of the Supreme court judgement against him.
In a statement signed by Mr. Femi Adesina, on behalf of the President said, according to the President, “The decision of the apex court lays to rest the tussle over the governorship of Osun State and removes all encumbrances on the path of the governor from fully delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of the State.”
Buhari commends the government and people of Osun in allowing the rule of law to run its entire course, urging them as well as security agencies to sustain the peace.
He calls on the victorious governor and the ruling All Progressives Congress party to be magnanimous in victory and make concrete moves towards inclusive governance as may be necessary.
Also, speaking, Atiku, said the Supreme Court has ruled and because of its judicial finality, the legal case is over.
However, he said, the love, acceptance and endorsement that the people of Osun bestowed on both Senator Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party is not over and cannot be overlooked.
Those who think this is the end of the road for Senator Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun, are greatly mistaken. This is not the end. Not even the beginning of the end. No. Today marks the continued ascendancy of Senator Adeleke and his party in the hearts and minds of his people.
They had expected that the progress and development that the Adeleke family had consistently brought to Osun will be translated to their governance. That hope is not dead, it is only delayed.
Atiku said: “I extend my right hand of brotherhood to Senator Adeleke in all his future endeavours and I assure the good people of the state of Osun that the Peoples Democratic Party remembers their love and acceptance and will never forget to stand by them no matter the situation.
“I urge the nation’s judiciary to take a pulse of the nation and reflect it. In their hands, God has placed a great responsibility. The duty to ensure that justice is done, irrespective of the pressure to do otherwise, by the powers that be.”