The Senator Elect for Osun Central Senatorial District Dr Ajibola Basiru has calmed frayed nerves within the APC fold with the assurances that Mr Gboyega Oyetola is still the Governor of the State of Osun.
In a statement from his Media Office, Dr Ajibola, citing section 143 subsection 1 of the Electoral Act, stresses that Governor Oyetola remains in charge pending the decision of the higher courts.
Section 143(1) of the Electoral Act states inter alia,”If the Election Tribunal or the Court as the case may be,determined that a candidate returned as elected was not validly elected,then if notice of appeal against the decision is given within 21 days from the date of the decision,the candidate returned as elected shall,notwithstanding the contrary decision of the Election Tribunal or the Court,remain in office pending the determination of the appeal”.
With the above reference from the law, Dr Basiru clarifies that Mr Gboyega Oyetola is the Governor of the State.
The Senator Elect appealed to the loyalists and lovers of APC to remain firm, calm and resolute in their belief in the party as the dissenting judgment of the Tribunal will be appealed.
He called on the people of the State not to be swayed by the pronouncement of the lower court as the APC still has the right of appeal.
It will be recalled that the State Government and the APC have rejected the decision of the Tribunal, informing that the judgment had been put on appeal.
