The ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has welcomed Friday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, which refused the All Progressives Congress’ request to relist the appeal filed against the Federal High Court’s nullification of the controversial Yes or No election.
The appeal had previously been dismissed by the Court of Appeal for lack of diligent prosecution.
In its immediate reaction, the PDP described the Appeal Court’s pronouncement as a confirmation of its longstanding position that the APC was merely grandstanding without legal basis.
According to the PDP, the law is clear on the country’s electoral jurisprudence, which it said was brazenly violated by the ousted APC administration in the state.
A statement by Sunday Bisi, the state chairman of the party, described the judgment as a triumph of truth and justice over wishful thinking and irritating grandstanding.
He praised the peaceful disposition of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the resilience of the PDP elected Chairmen and the people of Osun State in the face of what he called “APC’s unbridled desperation and brazen lawlessness” which, according to him, led to unrest and avoidable loss of lives.
Bisi also lauded the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission for conducting what he described as the lawful local government elections held on February 22, 2025, which brought in the current PDP chairmen.
The PDP criticised the APC for seeking to validate what it described as a “deeply flawed and illegal” electoral process orchestrated by the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola-led administration after losing the 2022 governorship election in the state.
“The 2022 local government elections were a total violation of Nigeria’s electoral laws,” the PDP stated. “It is therefore alarming that the APC expected the courts to legitimize such a blatant abuse of democratic process.”
The party chairman concluded by expressing concern that the APC’s actions are a threat to the nation’s democracy and rule of law, asking concerned authorities against abetting further attempts to undermine constitutional order in Osun State.
