Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has lauded Tuesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming his election as governor of the state.
Oyebanji, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, described the appeal court verdict as victory for democracy and the people of the state.
According to him, his victory is to the glory of God and joy of the people of the state, whose mandate was affirmed by the appellate court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court of appeal, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, had on Tuesday, dismissed the appeal of the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Segun Oni, for lacking in substance.
The governor, who described the appellate court verdict as a landmark judgment, thanked the judiciary for living up to its reputation as the bastion of democracy and last hope of the common man.
The governor said that the judgment was a further proof that God had a hand in the mandate given to him by the people of the state on June 18, 2022.
Oyebanji said that it would energise the people of the state to march to polling units with renewed confidence and determination to vote for Sen. Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates during the forthcoming general elections.
While restating his respect for the SDP governorship candidate, Oyebanji urged his supporters to celebrate in moderation and avoid any form of name-calling or hostility against members of the opposition party.
He explained out that Oni had the right to exercise his constitutional right of seeking judicial intervention in the matter.
“I commend the judiciary for this landmark judgment. The judiciary is living up to the expectation of the people. This is victory for democracy and the rule of law.
“I just want to plead with all our supporters. Let us celebrate moderately. There is no need to quarrel with anybody or resort to name-calling. We are one in Ekiti. The party that has gone to court did so in exercise of its fundamental human rights.
“I further re-state my respect for Segun Oni, as I invite him back to APC to join us in the task of making our people prosperous,” Oyebanji said. (NAN)
