The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, in Abuja, called for inclusion and harmony in Osun State following the Supreme Court’s verdict, which upheld the election of Ademola Adeleke as the Governor of Osun in the July 2022 elections.
He also urged all citizens and residents of the state, particularly her notable sons and daughters, to give the Adeleke administration all the support it needs to ensure that “programmes, policies, plans and aspirations fashioned to make individuals and businesses flourish succeed.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared that Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party polled 403,371 votes to defeat then-incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, of the All Progressives Congress who got 375,027 votes.
In its lead judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court dismissed an appeal lodged against Adeleke’s victory by Oyetola.
It held that although Oyetola alleged that Adeleke won through over-voting in 774 polling units in the state, he failed to produce any Bimodal Voters Accreditation System; a machine used in any of the polling units to prove his claim.
Reacting to the development, the President called for inclusion, reminding Osun’s political elite and their supporters that the main task going forward is to make the people feel the impact of good governance.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said, “Elections should be seen as the path to an end, which is the progress of the people in a peaceful environment, rather than unending bickering.
“This is the time for inclusion and harmony in the State at the end of litigation.”
The statement is titled ‘Osun Verdict: Let’s team up to develop the state, says President Buhari’.
While recognising the Supreme Court’s verdict on the issue, Buhari said “The main task at hand is to make the people feel the impact of good governance, where a prosperous, peaceful and stable Osun is guaranteed.”
He urged all citizens and residents of the State, particularly her notable sons and daughters, to give the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke all the support it needs to ensure that programmes, policies, plans and aspirations are fashioned to make individuals and businesses flourish and succeed.
Buhari also thanked the people of Osun for contributing immensely to the development of the nation, particularly through the State’s rich cultural heritage, several historic sites and tourist attractions, including the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The president expressed trust that the government will continue to develop the boundless resources in the State of the Living Spring, complementing the roles of the government at the Centre of national development and prosperity.
