Oyebanji hails appellate court verdict

*Oni to seek redress at Supreme Court

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has hailed the verdict of the Court of Appeal reaffirming his election as governor of the state.

Oyebanji described the verdict as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.

The Court of Appeal, Ado Ekiti Division, in the judgment delivered virtually on Tuesday, dismissed the appeal of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Segun Oni, for lacking in substance.

It held that the respondents, Oyebanji and the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye, were duly elected as the governor and deputy governor of the state.

The court also 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, dissatisfied with the December 29, 2022 verdict of the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal which dismissed his suit against Oyebanji’s election for failure to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, had approached the court of appeal for redress.

But following the dismissal of the appeal by the appellate court, Oyebanji in a statement signed by his Special Adviser Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said his victory was to the glory of God and joy of the people of the state.

The governor, who restated his respect for Oni, urged his supporters to celebrate in moderation and avoid any form of name calling or hostility against members of the opposition party.

He said, “I commend the judiciary for this landmark judgment. It is living up to the expectation of the people. 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 energize our members to march to the polling units determined to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates on Saturday, February 25,” Oyebanji said.

However, Oni and the SDP have resolved to proceed to the Supreme Court to seek redress in the judgments of the tribunal and the appellate court that affirmed Oyebanji as the duly elected governor of the state.

The Spokesperson of Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Jackson Adebayo, said that the SDP candidate would fight for his right to the last and get justice.