INEC APPEALS THE TRIBUNAL’S DECISION TO REMOVE ADELEKE AS GOVERNOR OF OSUN

The decision to remove Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun state has been appealed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Osun governorship election petition tribunal ruled in favor of the state’s former governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

In their ruling on January 27, two of the tribunal’s three members concluded that Oyetola had successfully demonstrated that there had been overvoting in several of the polling places.

INEC outlined 44 reasons why the tribunal’s decision should be overturned in a notice of appeal that was submitted on Wednesday.

In addition to a number of other difficulties, INEC claims that the tribunal disregarded its preliminary objection before deciding the petition’s main points.

The second judge on the panel, Rabi Bashir, neglected to provide her opinion in writing as required by section 294(2) of the constitution, which led to the electoral commission noting that there was no majority decision.

For lack of competence and jurisdiction, they are asking the court for “an order dismissing and/or striking out the petition.”

Additionally, INEC is requesting that the petition of the first and second respondents in this appeal be dismissed as “lack[ing] in merit with high cost.”

The PDP branch in Osun state, led by interim chairperson Akindele Adekunle, praised the panel for appealing the ruling in a statement.

If the “Buga verdict” stands, Adekunle stated, “candidates who lost elections will manipulate server reports and present same to a judge to steal the election from the true winner. INEC has toed the right route by appealing the “Buga judgment.”