BREAKING: Adeleke wins at Appeal Court, to remain as governor

The Appeal Court on Friday ruled in favour of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State over a certificate issue and dismissed the tribunal judgement on forgery.

POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that the Osun tribunal recently held that Adeleke did not score the majority of lawful votes during the July 16 governorship election, but that verdict was today set aside by the Court of Appeal.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal, held that the appeal lodged by Adeleke, a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was creditable.

The court also held that the sum of N500,000 is awarded as a cost against the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

During the ruling, the justice resolved that the preponderance of proof that there was over-voting in the elections rested on the petitioner.

The three-man panel revoked the Tribunal’s order which directed that a Certificate of Return be withdrawn from Adeleke and issued to his predecessor and APC candidate, Oyetola.