The tribunal, in its judgment on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, dismissed the petition of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Segun Oni, and upheld the victory of Oyebanji and his deputy as the winners of the June 19 governorship election.
In a statement by the Chairman, Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, made available to Saturday PUNCH, the council appealed to the SDP candidate to accept the verdict in good faith
The statement read, “Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers heartily congratulates His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuyem, on their victory at the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal which concluded its sitting on December 29, 2022 with the verdict that the election that brought him in as governor was free and fair.
“The Council is happy to note that with this conclusion, the tribunal has effectively put a seal on the election and confirmed the decision of the majority of Ekiti people which overwhelmingly voted the governor in June.
“The Council also expresses the view that with this verdict, all the political gladiators across the parties should sheath their sword and cooperate with the governor for the development of the state.
“The Council appeals to the governor to be magnanimous in victory and to reach out to his opponents for the good of of the state.
“The Council also pleads with the hitherto aggrieved persons to put the outcome of the governorship election behind them and accept the electoral decision of the Ekiti people in good faith. It is the opinion of the Council that there is always another time; as a loser today can become a winner tomorrow.”
