The Supreme Court on Tuesday, May 9, affirmed that Senator Ademola Adeleke is the duly elected governor of Osun state.
A five-person panel in the apex court dismissed the appeal by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for lacking merit.
The Appeal Court had earlier ruled in favour of Adeleke, prompting Oyetola to approach the Supreme Court.
On social media, Nigerians have been reacting to the verdict by the apex court.
Aziz Bakare, a public affairs commentator, wrote on Twitter:
“Going by the judgment in Adeleke v Oyetola and affirmed by the Supreme Court, many governors, especially Ogun, Enugu, and Nasarrawa, should be afraid.
“Lawyers representing the applicants should apply for the tribunal’s CTC of this Supreme Court judgement.
“Another interesting thing to note is that none of the decisions of the Court of Appeal in Adeleke v Oyetola was upturned by the Supreme Court. Every single one was affirmed. A remarkable rebuke of the majority’s decision at the Osun tribunal.”
Ejo Onyishi wrote:
“Adeleke can now concentrate and continue with the good work he has started in Osun state. What Adeleke had achieved within his short time in office is bigger than Oyetola’s wasteful four years. Adeleke is still paying salaries, gratuities, and pension owed by APC government’s 12 years in office.”
Jeffrey Ubeku wrote:
“Fantastic outcome for the dancing governor. We can be rest assured that the Supreme Court will also do justice to the presidential election petitions.”
Olorogun Ernest wrote:
“We must commend the Nigerian judiciary for upholding its standard and refusing any form of intimidation or lobbying. This judgment leaves us wondering how the lower court came about its judgment of overvoting in Osun guber.”
Emeka C. Onyenuforo wrote:
“Huge win for the people of Osun state! Huge win for dsemocracy! and a huge win for a common man in Nigeria! It clearly pointed out that there comes an ultimate end to impunity, godfatherismand historical manipulation of people’s intelligence! People’s mandates recovery in action!”
Some minutes before the Supreme Court verdict, Governor Adeleke wrote on his Twitter page:
”God is going to win today.”