FACT-CHECK: Is Oyetola first incumbent governor to approach tribunal after electoral loss as claimed by Aregbesola’s ex-aide?

Aregbesola ex-aide and the deputy director general of Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Kolapo Alimi said that Oyetola is the first incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state to approach the Tribunal.

This was stated on Wednesday by the former Osun commissioner during a popular radio programme ‘FRANK TALK’ where he featured as a guest.

Alimi, a legal practitioner while fielding questions from the host on the petitions forwarded to the tribunal by the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola and his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) over the recently concluded 2022 Osun gubernatorial poll made such claim.

Is Gboyega Oyetola the first incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state to approach the Tribunal?

This claim was shared to many Whatsapp groups by some party apologists and unsuspecting members of the public.

Verification

A check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that Aliyu Akwe Doma, who was incumbent governor of Nasarawa (2007 – 2011) ran for a second term in office under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in April 2011 and lost.

Aliyu Doma polled 320,398 votes and lost the election to his main challenger, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, a candidate of the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) who polled 324,823. When Aliyu Doma lost the election, he was an incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state.

WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Aliyu Akwe Doma, yesterday filed a petition challenging the victory of the governor-elect, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, of CPC in the April 26 gubernatorial poll and prayed that the tribunal should declare him as winner of the lawful votes cast.

According to a report published by Vanguard on May 19, 2011, the petition was signed by Doma himself as the first petitioner and it has National Legal Adviser of PDP, Chief Olusola Oke, as the second petitioner for the party.

INEC is first respondent, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) is second, the Returning Officer, Gubernatorial Election in Nasarawa is third, while Al-Makura is fourth on the list of respondents.

A further check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that the late Alao Christopher Akala who was the incumbent Governor of Oyo State (2007 – 2011) ran for a second time in office under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in April 26, 2011 and lost.

Alao Akala polled 387,132 votes and lost the election to his main challenger, Abiola Ajimobi, a candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who polled 420,852 votes. When Alao Akala lost the election, he was an incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state.

Alao Akala also challenged the victory of Abiola Ajimobi at the election petition tribunal in 2011.

Likewise, Mohammed Abubakar who was the incumbent Governor of Bauchi State (2015 – 2019) ran a second time in office under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost. The Bauchi State Gubernatorial poll was held on 9 March 2019 and concluded on 25 March 2019.

Mohammed Abubakar polled 500,625 votes and lost the election to his main challenger, Bala Muhammed, a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 515,113 votes. When Mohammed Abubakar lost the election, he was an incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state

Mohammed Abubakar also challenged the victory of Bala Mohammed at the election petition tribunal in 2019.

Jibrilla Bindo, who was the incumbent Governor of Adamawa State (2015 – 2019) ran a second time in office under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost. The Adamawa State Gubernatorial poll was held on 9 March 2019.

Jibrilla Bindo polled 336,386 votes and lost the election to his main challenger, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 376,552 votes. When Jibrilla Bindo lost the election, he was an incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state

HE Jibrilla Bindo who was the incumbent Governor of Adamawa also approached the election petition tribunal to challenge the victory of Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in 2019.

Verdict 

The claim that Oyetola is the first incumbent Governor under the ruling party both at the Federal and the state to approach the Tribunal is false, misleading and untrue.