Politics
Osun tribunal declares Oyetola winner, nullifies election of Adeleke as governor
The Osun State Governorship election petitions tribunal on Friday nullified the election of Sen. Ademola Adeleke as Governor of the state.
In its ruling, the tribunal also declared Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of the July 16 Osun governorship poll.
Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Tetsea Kume, while delivering a majority decision, said INEC did not comply substantially with the Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The tribunal explained that the ground of the petition before it is three, adding that the petitioners had argued that Adeleke was not qualified to contest based on his academic qualifications.
Others are that Adeleke was not elected by most of the electorates and that the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Kume stressed that the petitioners were challenging the results of the election in ten local government areas. They are Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ila, Ilesa west, Irepodun, Obokun, Olorunda, and Osogbo.
But, responding on the 23rd day of August, Adeleke denied the allegations leveled against him by the APC and Oyetola.
Justice Kume added that the petitioners also pointed the attention of the tribunal to the secondary school certificate of Adeleke which carries 1981 while Osun State was not existing.
Ruling on the forgery, the tribunal held that Adeleke’s other qualifications have qualified him to contest for the post of Governor.
It referred to the statement of admission of “seemingly over-voting” made by an INEC official who appeared before the tribunal as the respondent’s witness. It said the defense by the respondents on the over-voting is unreliable.
The tribunal subsequently deducted the over-voting observed from the votes scored by the candidates and declared that Oyetola won the election, having successfully polled 314, 921, while Adeleke’s score came down to 290, 266.
The tribunal further directed INEC to withdraw PDP Adeleke’s certificate of return and issued another one to Oyetola who won a majority of the lawful votes.
Meanwhile, a minority decision by one of the judges agreed with the majority judgment on the qualification but discountenance the evidence of the Prosecution Witness.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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