TheCable

Pelumi Olajengbesi, a human rights lawyer, has asked Gboyega Oyetola, governor of Osun, to congratulate Ademola Adeleke, governor-elect of the state.

On Sunday, Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner of the Osun governorship election.

Adeleke secured 403,371 votes to defeat his closest contender, Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027 votes.

The PDP candidate won 17 LGAs, while the incumbent governor secured victory in 13 LGAs.

In a statement on Monday, Olajengbesi, a member of the PDP, said challenging Adeleke’s victory in court is a waste of time.

Olajengbesi asked Oyetola to follow President Muhammadu Buhari’s path and congratulate Adeleke.

“It is only wise for Gboyega Oyetola to concede defeat and congratulate the people’s choice and the winner of July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun state, Ademola Adeleke,” the lawyer said.

“The governor will be disgracing himself big time should he head to court or to the tribunal to challenge the people’s mandate. Oyetola should also know that no moneybag from Bourdillon can save him from this catastrophic defeat he suffered on Saturday. After all, Adeleke only reclaimed the mandate that was stolen from him in 2018 through a sham rerun election.

“However, times have changed and the people of Osun have become wiser. The beauty of democracy is about choice – Oyetola was apparently kicked out of office by the people because of bad governance and poor performance; the people wanted more.

“The role of INEC and security agencies in this free and fair election can also not be overemphasised. They can only do more as we step into the bigger election season in 2023.

“Finally, I congratulate the people’s man – Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke – for the rousing victory in Saturday’s election. It is testament of doggedness and determination. The victory is for all people of conscience and lover of good governance which Senator Adeleke will provide. After darkness is light! Imole de!”

On Sunday, Oyetola had said the APC will take a position on the outcome of the recently-concluded governorship election after studying the results.