The battle of who is the rightful winner of the disputed July 16, 2022, Osun Governorship Election has been laid to rest by the affirmation of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected Governor of the State.
In fact, the calm city of Osogbo, Osun State capital was thrown into a frenzy immediately after the Apex Court sitting in Abuja affirmed his victory.
As the clock ticked towards 2 pm, which was the time set for the judgment, the town became tense, as people were apprehensive as to where the pendulum would swing.
By 2 pm, the atmosphere within the government secretariat became more tension soaked as people monitored proceedings through different media – the radio, television, online newspapers, social media, or phones as the case may be.
At about 2:45 pm, wild jubilation erupted from different sections of the secretariat, meaning that Governor Ademola Adeleke had been confirmed as the rightful winner of the election. The joy among civil servants knew no bound.
The Apex court had ruled in favour of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and people could no longer hold back their joy in celebration of the Judgement which meant that their votes were not wasted.
Soon after the news filtered into the town, our correspondent went out to feel the pulse of the ancient town of Osogbo.
From the popular Aregbe junction to Orita Olaiya down to Ajegunle and Igbona market, residents were seen dancing in celebration of the Judgement.
The excited residents could not hide their joy as they took to the streets and major roads drumming and dancing with the PDP flag in their hands.
Some market women at Igbona on sighting the Journalists started chanting “Imole Imole Imole” with different songs of the PDP renting the air.
Also at Aregbe and Abere areas of the state, jubilant young men and women were seen beating drums, while disco sets were placed at Aregbe, where members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were observed dancing, appreciating God for affirming the victory of the Governor after a 10 months legal battle.
One of the drivers, Mr Kazeem Abiola who spoke to our correspondent said, by the overwhelming victory of Adeleke, good things would begin to happen in the state.
According to him, a lot of good things have been happening since Governor Adeleke took over the leadership of Osun State from prompt payment of workers’ salaries to pension payment and other infrastructural development such as roads among others
His words “As you can see everybody is in a celebratory mood because the Governor is well loved by all and was voted for by people of the state. I think the judiciary has shown that they are truly the last hope of the common man and the last orbital of electoral jurisprudence.
One of the young men who was seen beating drums, when asked by our correspondent the reason behind his joy, said ” Governor Adeleke has just won at the Apex Court and with this development, the matter which APC has been fighting for is laid to rest and that is what informed my celebration” he said.
At Ede, the hometown of the Governor, it was celebration galore, as residents flooded the Governor’s personal residence to celebrate the victory.
The Governor in his usual way showcased some of his dance steps with his Deputy Prince Kola Adewusi, party leaders, and well-wishers.
The popular music icon Davido was also physically present to rejoice with his uncle whom he had supported so much before, during, and after the election even through the election petition tribunal to the Supreme Court.
Our correspondent who visited the Governor’s office shortly after the judgment was read, saw a good number of Civil Servants come out from their respective offices to celebrate the victory.
One of the senior Directors in the Ministry of Information though refused to disclose his name said with this final judgment, workers were assured of better days ahead.
He said since the Governor assumed duty, he has been able to pay the accumulated backlog of salaries and pensions; and believed that the Governor is now settled for the real business of governance devoid of distraction.
While addressing the jubilant crowd, Governor Adeleke, who was happy and full of gratitude to the Almighty, with singing and dancing thanked Him for his validation as the duly elected Governor of the State. He also gave kudos to workers and the entire people of the State for standing behind him throughout the period of the litigation.
He lamented the deplorable condition of Osun property built by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Abuja but abandoned by the last administration. He said he had formed a committee to look into it, and put it in shape so that it could be useful for the State.
He equally decried the bad state of the Bola Ige House, Abere, which according to him, is an eyesore, noting that, upon resumption as the Governor, he had ordered its immediate renovation.
He promised the workers that he will not disappoint, but rather swing into action to make life comfortable for all and sundry.
Speaking at the occasion, Osun former Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola appreciated the Lord for granting Governor Adeleke the deserved victory, saying the victory is an affirmation of the people’s mandate freely given him last year.
He prayed to the Almighty to give him grace with wisdom to pilot the affairs of the State.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Osun State chapter, Comrade Modupeola Oyedele, her counterpart in Trade Union Congress, Comrade Kola Adebowale, and Chairman JNC, Comrade Lasun Oyedele as well as the State Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina congratulated the Governor for the victory stressing that it is for the entire workers in Osun.
They appealed to him not to forget all the promises made to workers, assuring that workers are solidly behind his administration.
In their separate remarks, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, and PDP Chairman in Osun, Hon. Sunday Bisi appreciated workers for their support for the Governor. They assured that the present administration will not disappoint them.
Present at the celebration were: Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, PDP Chieftain, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, and government functionaries among others.
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 affirmed Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, as the validly elected Governor of Osun.
The Supreme Court being the final court of the land unanimously upheld the earlier judgement of Appeal Court which also held that Adeleke was the rightful winner of the Governorship of the state.
It will be recalled that the All Progressives Congress and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola had challenged the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke in the July 16, 2022 gubernatorial elections and the litigation battle lasted about 10 months.
The Hope
