INEC appeals Osun tribunal judgement

The decision to remove Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun state has been appealed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to TheCable, the Osun governorship election petition tribunal ruled in favor of the state's former governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

In their ruling on January 27, two of the tribunal's three members concluded that Oyetola had successfully demonstrated that there had been overvoting in several of the polling places.

INEC outlined 44 reasons why the tribunal's decision should be overturned in a notice of appeal that was submitted on Wednesday.

In addition to a number of other difficulties, INEC claims that the tribunal disregarded its preliminary objection before deciding the petition's main points.

The second judge on the panel, Rabi Bashir, neglected to provide her opinion in writing as required by section 294(2) of the constitution, which led to the electoral commission noting that there was no majority decision.

They are praying the court for “an order dismissing and/or striking out the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction”.

INEC is also seeking an order “dismissing the petition of the 1st and 2nd respondents in this appeal as lacking in merit with substantial cost”.

The PDP branch in Osun state, led by interim chairperson Akindele Adekunle, praised the panel for appealing the ruling in a statement.

“INEC has toed the right path by appealing the ‘Buga judgment’ because if such is sustained, what will happen will be candidates who lost elections manipulating server reports and presenting same to a judge to steal the election from the actual winner,” Adekunle said.

Source