How Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and PDP reacted to Appeal Court judgement

Governor Oyetola:
We give praise to Almighty God for today’s victory at the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.
The victory has validated the mandate you freely gave to us on September 22 and 27, 2018.
You spoke with conviction; your voice and choice are clear to the world, and the judiciary, the last hope of the people and arbiter of the truth, has proved to the world that it is always on the side of justice.
After months of uncertainty and wait in judicial wilderness, truth has finally prevailed over falsehood and the voice of the majority has ultimately gained dominance over the phoney manipulation of an unscrupulous minority.
This victory has proved to all and sundry that there is a limit to the extent falsehood and propaganda can thrive over truth and the will of the people.
I would like to thank you all, the good people of The State of Osun, for your robust support and steadfastness throughout the needless periods of political travail and tribulation.
I am persuaded by your indisputable mandate and the sound judgment of the Court of Appeal, that the road to ultimate victory is smooth and unshakable.
My Administration took off on a note of equitable and quality service delivery to you the people. That resolve is on course.
I urge you all to be peaceful and to go about your legitimate businesses as we revel in this well-deserved victory.
Senator Ademola Adeleke:
I received with dissatisfaction the judgement of the Court of Appeal on the ruling of the election petition tribunal which had duly returned me as the validly elected governor of Osun state.
I have subsequently instructed my counsel to prepare for an appeal against today’s judgement at the Supreme Court immediately.
Today’s judgement relied on weak technical foundation.
The substantive issue which formed the basis of the lower tribunal judgement was relegated to the background.
We are reviewing the full ruling and action has already commenced to appeal the judgement and ensure the eventual retrieval of the stolen mandate,” Adeleke said.
We are taking the legal battle further to the topmost court in the land. I am confident the apex court will upturn today’s unsustainable ruling.
To all members of PDP in Osun State and my campaign organisation, the struggle is now at the most critical stage.
We cannot waiver nor slow down. We must forge ahead in high spirit until final victory is attained.
In this endeavour, I promise to provide the leadership as the genuine governorship mandate holder in Osun State.
PDP National Secretariat:
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the party and its victorious candidate in the Osun state governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, will retrieve the stolen governorship mandate at the Supreme court.
The party says it is not in any way shaken by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, but stands with Nigerians in the confidence that justice and respect for the will of the people of Osun state will definitely prevail at the Supreme Court.
The party insists that there is no way the will of the people, which they openly expressed in voting for Senator Adeleke will be allowed to be lost.
The PDP notes that the fact the Court of Appeal had a split judgment indicates that justice was not fully served at the appellate court.
It is instructive to state that the Court of Appeal did not contest or invalidate the fact that Senator Adeleke won the election but only cited technicalities and speculations to arrive at its decision.
The PDP has also noted that the Court of Appeal failed to act on the full and substantial import of the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the ballot papers and record of accreditation to disprove our position that INEC altered results and subverted the will of the people of Osun State.
Our party and candidate are therefore confident that the Supreme Court will look at the merit of the matter and ensure that justice is served by recognising Senator Ademola Adeleke as Osun State Governor.