Adeleke Vs Oyetola: Tight Security As Osun Tribunal Delivers Judgement

As the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivers its judgement today, there is a heavy presence of security personnel in and around the High Court premises in Osogbo.

This comes after former Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola challenged the outcome of the July 16 governorship election in the state, alleging irregularities and questioning the qualification of Governor Ademola Adeleke to contest the election.

Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had filed a petition before the Tribunal in Osogbo on August 5, 2022, challenging the election results from 749 polling units across 10 local government areas, alleging electoral malpractices, especially over-voting.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the governorship election, having polled 403,271 votes against Oyetola who polled 375,027.

However, as early as 6:00 a.m., a detachment of security personnel had been deployed around the court premises.

The court premises were manned by combined personnel of the Police Command, Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in order to ensure a peaceful judgement.

Judicial workers and journalists covering the proceeding in the court had a difficult time accessing the court as security personnel insisted on thorough checks before they were allowed in.

All the roads leading to the court were also barricaded, thus forcing motorists and pedestrians to take alternate routes.

There was also a heavy police presence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) party secretariat located along the Osogbo-Gbongan road, as well as the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office located in the same area.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat located along the Biket area was also heavily guarded by armed police officers.

The Police Command in Osun had earlier assured residents of the state of adequate security of lives and property. The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, in a statement on Thursday in Osogbo, warned troublemakers to steer clear of the state and the court premises.

Overall, the judgement of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is being closely watched by the public, and it is clear that the authorities are taking necessary precautions to ensure a peaceful judgement.