A human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called on the Governor of Osun State and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Oyetola, to concede defeat and congratulate the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Olajengbesi stated that it will be a disgrace for Oyetola to challenge Adeleke’s victory in court as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Dejoymedia reports that Adeleke defeated the incumbent governor by over 28,000 votes in the Saturday, July 16, 2022, governorship governor poll and was returned elected.
In a statement on Sunday, Olajengbesi described any litigation by the APC candidate as a waste of time, adding that even the Supreme Court cannot save Oyetola from his defeat at the poll.
He, therefore, asked Oyetola to be honourable and congratulate Adeleke, just as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), did on Sunday.
However, rather than following the footstep of the President, Oyetola said APC leadership in Osun will respond to the result of Saturday’s governorship poll after studying it.
According to Olajengbesi, “It is only wise for Governor Gboyega Oyetola to bury his head in shame, concede defeat and congratulate the people’s choice and the winner of the July 16, 2022, governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke.
“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, Senator 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 – Governor Oyetola was apparently kicked out of office by the people because of bad governance and poor performance; the people wanted more.”
The lawyer, who is the Principal Officer of Law Corridor, an Abuja-based law firm, also commended INEC and the security agencies for their role in ensuring a free and fair electoral process and congratulated the governor-elect.
He stated, “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 – Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke – for the rousing victory in Saturday’s election. It is a testament to doggedness and determination. The victory is for all people of conscience and lovers of good governance, which Senator Adeleke will provide. After darkness is light! Imole de!”
