The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed Tuesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, which reaffirmed his election as governor of the state, describing it as victory for democracy and the people of the state.
The Court of Appeal, Ado Ekiti Division, in the judgment delivered virtually, dismissed appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Segun Oni.
The court said Oni’s appeal, challenging Oyebanji’s victory, was lacking in substance.
Contrary to Oni’s contention, the court held that Oyebanji was lawfully nominated as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and emerged the winner of the election conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.
Oni’s appeal was against the December 29, 2022 verdict of the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal, which earlier upheld Oyebanji’s victory at the governorship poll.
But reacting to his Tuesday victory in court, the governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr Yinka Oyebode, commended the judiciary for “living up to the expectation of the people.”
He said, “This is victory for democracy and the rule of law. I dedicate this victory to God and the good people of Ekiti State who have continued to show tremendous support for the administration.
“It’s a validation of what they did during the election and I thank the judiciary for upholding our victory as a party. The judgment should energise our members to march to the polling units determined to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates on Saturday, February 25.”
But Oni vowed to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict.
The spokesperson for the Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Jackson Adebayo, disclosed that the SDP candidate would fight for his right to the last and get justice.
