Mixed reactions trail Tribunal judgement in Osun

Bayo Wahab 14:47 - 27 January 2023

Mixed reactions trail Tribunal governorship verdict as court sacked Ademola Adeleke as Osun State Governor.

Adeleke has assured his supporters that the judgement would be appealed.

The verdict of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on the July 16 Governorship election in Osun State has got Nigerians talking about Nigeria's electoral system.

On Friday, January 27, 2023, the court sacked Ademola Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state.

The court also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and recognise Gboyega Oyetola as the real winner of the 2022 governorship election.

Expectedly, the verdict set the tone for political conversations on Twitter as Nigerians expressed their views on the judgment.

While jubilant supporters of Oyetola send their congratulations to the former governor, others looked forward to the next course of action from Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state.

Meanwhile, Adeleke has assured his supporters that the judgement would be appealed.

He said, "I want to use this opportunity to call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done. Let everyone be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate. God bless Osun!"

I want to use this opportunity to call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done. Let everyone be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate. God bless Osun!
— Gov Ademola Adeleke (@AAdeleke_01) January 27, 2023

Below are some of the views expressed on Twitter as Adeleke, Oyetola, BVAS and Supreme Court trend on the social media platform.

The Tribunal cannot cancel 749 Polling Units where PDP won and then declare a winner. It’s impossible and won’t stand. Adeleke will surely win on appeal and the Supreme Court. We must bring sense back to the Legal system. Re-run is the worst case here if you cancel 749 PUs
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) January 27, 2023

Oyetola should just give up. The little respect he is still earning as an Ex-governor can last him for years.

Do not let Adeleke and the good people of Osun state send you to Political oblivion.
— 𝐑𝐨𝐳𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 🇳🇬 (@MissRozapepper) January 27, 2023

Congratulations, Governor Oyetola of Osun State. PDP & rigging are 5 & 6. All Nigerians must watch them in the forthcoming elections, too. They want to take us back to the dark days of ballot snatching and writing of results, despite the best efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari https://t.co/Xpo3E8cpOb
— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) January 27, 2023

Why did INEC use unsynchronized BVAS to declare Adeleke the winner of the election? Who are the INEC officials who allowed the state to waste money and time on the inauguration and tribunal? The electoral act was clear. Some people at INEC need to go to prison for 30 years.
— Dr. Toks 🦇 (@fimiletoks) January 27, 2023

Adeleke rigged the election. It has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that there was over voting, the court ruled in favor of Oyetola and the APC. Why are those who want a New Nigeria angry? Is this not the better Nigeria we all want?
— Pastor Who (@PastorMarvy) January 27, 2023

Although the BVAS was what gave Oyetola the chance to prove his case at the tribunal, the fact that there were differences between what the BVAS recorded and what was officially allocated tells you that it takes more than the BVAS to have a free and fair election.
— Abubakar Sidiq Usman (@MrAbuSidiq) January 27, 2023

Oyetola wins at Tribunal.

Adeleke goes to Appeal and Supreme Court.

The journey just start.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) January 27, 2023

Oyetola is gone and gone forever - he should come back and contest again in four years.

The mandate of Gov. Ademola Adeleke was fairly and democratically won.

They contend and battle but Light has never before succumbed to darkness and Osun will not be different.
— 'Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) January 27, 2023

If BVAS accredited voters before they voted, why can't it also reject upload of polling results if total voters exceed accredited numbers?

Maybe I am missing something. We need to ask questions and stop wasting public resources for litigation.
— Olúṣeun Onígbindé (@seunonigbinde) January 27, 2023

Why did INEC use unsynchronized BVAS to declare Adeleke the winner of the election? Who are the INEC officials who allowed the state to waste money and time on the inauguration and tribunal? The electoral act was clear. Some people at INEC need to go to prison for 30 years.
— Dr. Toks 🦇 (@fimiletoks) January 27, 2023

Oyetola wins at Election Tribunal.

Adeleke may win at the Appeal Court.

If the foregoing happens, Oyetola will proceed to the Supreme Court.

Time will tell who'll emerge victorious at the apex court. pic.twitter.com/D2nrqCnxyv
— Tunde Ososanya (@TundeOsosanya) January 27, 2023