Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Senator Ademola Adeleke’s appeal challenging the declaration of Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the Osun State governorship election.
Withinnigeria reports that in the lead judgment by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, the apex court declared that the absence of the judge who read the majority decision of the election tribunal made the judgment a nullity.
The judge upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal that the proper thing to have been done in the absence of Justice Peter Obiorah was to start the entire trial afresh.
Four of the seven Justices of the apex court sat to deliver the judgment, with Justice Rhodes Vivour presiding.
There was majority judgment of 5 and dissenting judgment of 2, ruling in Oyetola’s favour.
N.O.O Oke and Dr. Paul Ananaba both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) led the legal representation for Adeleke and PDP, while Abiodun Olaide announced appearance for Oyetola.
Adesina Agbede announced appearance for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Atiku, in a tweet on Friday, extended his hand of brotherhood to Senator Adeleke in all his future endeavours.
He also said that he will join the good people of Osun state to stand with Senator Adeleke in good times and in difficult days.
Atiku on his Twitter page wrote: “I join with people of goodwill all over Nigeria to say to Senator Ademola Adeleke, and the people of the great state of Osun, that we stand with them in good times and in difficult days.
“The Supreme Court has ruled and because of its judicial finality, the legal case is over.
“I extend my right hand of brotherhood to Senator Adeleke in all his future endeavours and I assure the good people of the state of Osun that the Peoples Democratic Party remembers their love and acceptance and will never forget to stand by them no matter the situation.
“Finally, I urge the nation’s judiciary to take a pulse of the nation and reflect it. In their hands, God has placed a great responsibility. The duty to ensure that justice is done, irrespective of the pressure to do otherwise, by the powers that be.”
