By Teniola Blessing.
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, has described the victory recorded by Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the Election Petition Tribunal as the affirmation of the popular mandate of the people.
The Speaker in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media, Odunayo Ogunmola, hailed the Tribunal for putting a judicial seal on the overwhelming victory achieved at the polls on June 18, 2022 through the support of the electorate who chose to vote the best candidate for the governorship seat.
Rt. Hon. Adelugba said the spontaneous joy that followed the judgment was a proof that the people of the state are happy that the Tribunal has done justice in ensuring that their electoral wishes were not truncated by a needless petition.
She urged the people of Ekiti State irrespective of their political leanings or party affiliation to support Governor Oyebanji in exercising the mandate to the benefit of the state and for the realization of his six-point development agenda.
The Speaker noted that Governor Oyebanji’s triumph in the temple of justice would give him the opportunity to fully concentrate on the serious business of governance for which the people of the state elected him out of all the candidates that vied for the governorship seat at the June 18 polls.
Rt. Hon. Adelugba pointed out that the verdict delivered by the Tribunal has removed every shade of doubt on the results of the last governorship election and the mandate given by the electorate to Governor Oyebanji whom they saw as the most competent person to succeed the former Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
She further posited that the judicial affirmation of Governor Oyebanji’s election would ensure continuity of life-changing policies, programmes and good governance started by former Governor Fayemi which are continuing under his successor.
Rt. Hon. Adelugba also congratulated leaders and members of the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the court victory noting that it would serve as a psychological boost to them ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The Speaker restated the support of the Ekiti State House of Assembly under her leadership for the executive branch led by Governor Oyebanji to ensure that the people of the state enjoy good governance through quality legislations and performance of oversight functions.
She said: “On behalf of the honourable members, the management and staff of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, I want to congratulate Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, on the affirmation of their electoral victory by the Election Petition Tribunal.
“The people of Ekiti State have spoken through their votes on June 18, 2022, the Judiciary has confirmed the victory recorded on the field and the court judgment has brought joy to the state that the popular mandate given to them and our party, the APC still stands.
“There must be an end to every litigation, it is now time for all Ekiti people to come together and support Governor Oyebanji for the development of our state. Ekiti people are one and we must all support our Governor to raise the bar of governance to a higher pedestal.”
