The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun for the 2023 election, Oladipupo Adebutu has confirmed the completion of the appeal process filed at the Supreme Court regarding the March 18 election. 

Adebutu had contested the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun from the All Progressives Congress, citing issues such as over-voting, gross misconduct, violence-induced disenfranchisement, and non-compliance with the electoral act.

Despite the dismissal of his petition by the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal in September and the subsequent rejection of his appeal by the Court of Appeal in Lagos in November, Adebutu expressed optimism in a statement released by his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya on Monday.

The statement revealed Adebutu’s return from the United Kingdom to celebrate Christmas with his constituents and emphasized that all legal processes for reclaiming the mandate in Ogun State had been concluded at the Supreme Court without encountering any successful obstacles.

“In the spirit of the celebration of Christmas, Oladipupo Adebutu, returned home from the United Kingdom to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth with his people, after ensuring all processes of reclaiming the mandate of the good people of Ogun State had been completed at the Supreme Court without any successful ambush,” the statement partly said.

In his Christmas message, Adebutu highlighted the values of love, compassion, and sacrifice associated with the life of Jesus Christ, urging the people to pray for the redemption of Ogun State. 

He drew parallels between the selflessness and sacrifice of Christ and the efforts to reclaim the allegedly stolen mandate, expressing confidence that victory would be achieved at the Supreme Court.

“We need to also reflect the life and time of Jesus Christ while celebrating His birth, He was selfless and offered Himself a great sacrifice for mankind, in this journey of redeeming our stolen mandate, we have also emulated Christ by showing love, compassion and sacrifices.

“At the end of it all, Jesus Christ overcame and had victory over all, even death; therefore, in this journey of redeeming the stolen mandate, we shall have victory at the end and bring relief to the good people of Ogun State.

“We sincerely appreciate the unprecedented warm reception and shouts of joy he received from the people all over the State, this is a great indication to us that truly, Ogun State people are standing firm and strong in the belief that true justice will be delivered at the Supreme Court.

“We urge you to peacefully celebrate and merry with family and friends in the hope that our victory is near and around the corner,” the statement furthered.