The Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal asserted that Ademola Adeleke’s “Buga” victory dance was premature after discovering that he had not received enough “lawful votes” to win the July 2022 gubernatorial elections, which led to his dismissal as governor on Friday afternoon.

“The 2nd Respondent cannot “go lo lo lo lo” and “Buga won” as the duly elected Governor of Osun State in the election conducted on 16th day of July, 2022. See Kizz Daniel song, BUGA,” two judges of the three-judge panel said in their majority ruling. The statement was quickly seen by netizens as a mockery of the judiciary, while opponents of Mr Adeleke said it was appropriate considering Mr Adeleke’s reputation as a habitual dancer.

“Rather, we hereby hold that the 1st Petitioner scored a majority of lawful votes in the said election and is hereby returned as such,” the judges said in an opinion written by Tertsea Kume, the panel’s chairman, and backed by Rabi Bashir. A third judge ruled that Mr Adeleke won the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was immediately ordered to withdraw the certificate of return already issued to Mr Adeleke, recognising him as governor, and present it to Gboyega Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The 1st Respondent is hereby directed to withdraw the certificate of return issued to the 2nd Respondent, and issue it to the 1″ Petitioner as the duly elected Governor of Osun State,” the ruling stated.

Mr Adeleke, who was sworn in as governor in November 2022, quickly dismissed the ruling, saying it was ’’a miscarriage of justice’’ with a vow to restore people’s mandate. He announced he would appeal the ruling.

“I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done,” the governor said. “Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate.”