The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has states the reason why Sen Ademola Adeleke cannot be given certificate of return yet. Said it can issue a certificate of return to Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) only if Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state fails to appeal the judgment of the tribunal that sacked him within 21 days.
INEC, on Monday, March 25th 2019, debunked rumours that Sen Adeleke had been issued a certificate of return.
According to reports, the election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Friday, March 22, nullified the election of Oyetola and declared Adeleke winner of the 2018 governorship election.
The INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye, said;
“Section 143(1) of the Electoral Act gives a candidate whose election is set aside a period of 21 days from the date of the decision to appeal against such a decision.
The person is entitled to remain in office pending the determination of the appeal. The commission will only issue the certificate if appeal is not lodged within 21 days. The commission has not issued any new certificate in relation to Osun State.”
It previously reported that the election tribunal judgment on Osun 2018 governorship election ruled in favour of Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The three-member bench of the tribunal led by Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, delivered its judgment at the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja on Friday, March 22.
The petition was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Adeleke, challenging the victory of Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the gubernatorial polls held in September 2018.
Senator Adeleke and the PDP had put forward a total of 20 prayers including prayer asking to be declared winner of the election and be issued certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
