The Supreme Court upheld the election victory of Ademola Adeleke, sealing the governor’s victory for Osun state Governorship in a keenly contested election on July 16, 2022, over his most formidable rival, Adegboyega Oyetola.
A five-member court panel led by John Okoro unanimously upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which had earlier on 24 March affirmed Mr Adeleke’s victory.
The Court’s ruling on Tuesday settled the dispute over the outcome of the gubernatorial election and dashed Oyetola’s hopes of reinstatement after a temporary victory at the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in January.
The Court agreed with the Court of Appeal that Mr. Oyetola and his party, his All Progressives Congress (APC), failed to “provide relevant evidence to prove their claims“.
The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision and the Court of Appeal ruled, stating, “correctly found that the appellants failed to prove their case” against Mr Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Specifically, the Court held that –
“It was imperative that the appellants (Oyetola and APC) produced the BIVAS machines or certified true copies of the BIVAS in evidence to show non-accreditation and over-voting.”
Emmanuel Agim, a member of the Supreme Court panel who read the lead judgment, noted-
“It is the record in the BVAS machines that can prove the number of accredited voters in a polling unit and nothing else.”
“The appellant had a primary burden to prove the fact asserted by them in their petition. It is obvious that the appellants’ case collapsed.”
cc: Premium Times Ng
