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Adeleke inaugurates 30 newly elected LG chairmen, 332 councillors

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has swore in the newly elected local government chairmen and councillors in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) had announced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates winners of the 30 chairmanship and 332 councillorship seats in the local government elections held on Saturday.

Adeleke at the swearing-in ceremony held on Sunday at Government House, Osogbo, urged the chairmen to deliver on good governance in their respective local governments.

The governor, however, advised them to stay away from the council secretariats to avoid clash with the opposition party.

“An Osun State High Court has affirmed the vacancies in both the chairmanship and Councillorship positions in all the local government areas of Osun State before your elections on Feb. 22.

“We will, therefore, rely on the judiciary to ensure a peaceful removal of those illegally occupying the local government secretariats.

“Please be patient and always abide by the rule of law,” he said.

While congratulating the chairmen and councillors, Adeleke urged them to deliver good governance to the people.

“I congratulate all newly elected council chairmen and councillors. You have the mandate to deliver on good governance in your respective local governments.

“I charge you to develop plans of action within the manifesto of the PDP.

“As our government is transforming the state for the better, I call on you to be agents of change, community developer and deliverer of dividends of democracy,” he said.

Adeleke commended OSSIEC for complying with all extant rules and procedures in the conduct of the elections.

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He also commended President Bola Tinubu for not allowing the state to be plunged to crisis during the elections.

“I assure Mr President of our commitment to the rule of law and the constitution for conflict resolution and governance process,” he said.

Adeleke also thanked the people of the state for coming out en mass to cast their votes during the elections.

“To the good people of Osun State, I use this occasion to express my gratitude for your steadfast support for our administration,” he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who was the inauguration, urged political stakeholders not to allow the state to degenerate into crisis “over a matter that can be resolved by the judiciary.”

“If anybody has a judgment, there is a procedure for enforcement of court decisions. It is illegal to resort to self help,” he said.

The ceremony was also attended Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who is also the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

Earlier, the Chairman of OSSIEC, Hassim Abioye, presented certificates of return to elected chairmen.

Abioye, during the presentation, urged them to be good ambassadors of democracy, both in conduct and service to the people.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has directed its “reinstated chairmen” to resume in their respective local government areas on Monday.

The party stated this in a statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, in Osogbo on Sunday.

The statement said that the purported directive that the chairmen and councillors should not report in their council areas was not from the party.

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“We want to make it abundantly clear that it is imperative for the elected APC local government chairmen and councillors not to cease from resumption at their various local government council areas.

“As this will enable them to continue to serve the deprived people at the grassroots level of government.

“The APC is a party founded on the rules of law which is the reason the Court of Appeal, Akure, judgment of Feb. 10 is the basic instrument of your reinstatement,” it said. (NAN)

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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Reactions trail Edo tribunal judgement

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Mixed reactions have continued to trail the tribunal’s judgment affirming the election of Gov. Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the Sept. 19 governorship election in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

It dismissed the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Reacting to the judgment, the Edo chapter of the PDP expressed disappointment with the ruling delivered by the three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.

Chris Nehikhare, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, said the party was waiting to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment before making further decisions.

“PDP is disappointed with the judgment of the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel.

“As a party, we are waiting for the Certified True Copy. We will study it and decide on our next course of action,” Nehikhare said.

Mr Aslem Ojezua, a former PDP chieftain who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he was unsurprised by the tribunal’s decision, as the petition lacked merit.

“What I expect now is for Ighodalo to congratulate Okpebholo and join hands in solving the problems confronting our people and communities,” Ojezua said.

He added that the verdict was clear, highlighting the distinction between legal and sensational issues.

Chief Dan Orbih, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), said the tribunal had spoken, and they could not question its ruling.

Orbih stated that PDP would now focus on bringing back members who left during the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.

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He emphasised that efforts would commence to rebuild the party in Edo State following the election setback.

Orbih blamed the PDP’s struggles on former Gov. Godwin Obaseki, accusing him of driving members away from the party.

“Unfortunately, the former governor brought distress, division, and disaster to the PDP.

“Today, I did not see his face among those at the tribunal, waiting for the judgment outcome.

“As it stands, lawyers will study the verdict and make a decision after a careful review of the well-established ruling,” he said. (NAN)

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Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Confirms Monday Okpebholo as Governor

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has officially recognized Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate governor of Edo State.

In a series of three judgments, the tribunal rejected petitions submitted by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance, and Accord Party.

The tribunal determined that the PDP did not present any witnesses to substantiate its claims of overvoting.

Specifically, the PDP failed to bring forth polling unit agents from the locations where they alleged electoral discrepancies occurred.

Furthermore, the tribunal noted that among the 19 witnesses presented by the petitioners, 14 were ward and local government agents, while the primary witness, who claimed to be a director of strategy for the PDP, had no involvement in the election’s execution.

Additionally, the tribunal remarked that the BVAS evidence submitted by the petitioners was inadequately presented.

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