…. As rancour in ruling party, poverty determine election outcome
By Agny Ogbonna
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Sunday morning declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, of winner of Saturday 16 July 2022 Governorship election in Osun state.
INEC returning officer for the state, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe declared that Adeleke scored 403,371 votes to defeat his closest rival, Governor Gboyega Oyetola candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) who scored 375,027 votes.
Shortly after the INEC declaration of victory, the home of the Adeleke ‘s in Ede erupted in Joy. the governor – elect was seen prostrating before his elder brother and father of Music star,”Davido” thanking him for his support for the coveted win.
Adeleke who said God made his win possible however dedicated the victory to his deceased elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
Governor – elect Adeleke is described as a jolly good fellow,one who sings and dances despite the odium his conduct might bring upon him.
As a Senator in the eight National Assembly, Adeleke was captured in viral videos performing real ( Owambe) ” Yoruba dance” demonstrating vigour and humour.
An elated governor – elect said that he would bring integrity, accountability to bear in his administration while assuring the Osun people of good life
It is the second time Adeleke would contest the governorship election in Osun state. He was the flagbearer of the PDP at the 2018 gubernatorial election and lost to Governor Oyetola.
However,in the July 16 election, the case was different as variables largely determined the defeat of the APC government..
The party’s unresolved internal problems in Osun between Governor Oyetola and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola was said to be a major factor.
Again,in March 2022, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,Lasun Yusuf defected from the APC.. The party rather than sorting out the grievances leading to the defection,went wild with a vile statement describing his defection” as good riddance to bad rubbish”
” It is pertinent to tell the public what they already know that from Hon. Lasun Yusuf is a noisemaker and paperweight politician whose mind has left the party since 2018 after he contested for governorship primary election and failed and he has consistently been failing to win elections,even in his Polling Unit.”
Less than twenty four hours to the June 16 election,, Lasun Yusuf who defected to the Labour party was alleged to have stepped down to ensure the victory of the PDP, but Yusuf denied the allegations . His performance at the polls leaves much to be desired though. There appears to be a semblance of the rumor of helping the opposition party on one hand and dismal failure of his political career on the other hand.
Also, the APC campaign on Tuesday where its presidential candidate,Bola Tinubu reportedly said that the PDP and other parties including the Labour party will labour till they die,was a minus for the party and may have swung votes to the opposition.
Another issue allegedly responsible for APC ‘s defeat is the controversial Vice Presidential ticket. The presidential flag bearer,Bola Tinubu had last sunday picked Senator Kashim Shettima,a Muslim as his running mate. The choice of Shettima was greeted with outcry in christian neighbourhoods and in the media. A letter written by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation condemning the act and the day to day rerun of interview segments of popular Television stations on the same faith, Muslim/ Muslim ticket also stoked the economic hardship and the peoples’ dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
An Osun voter, who gave his name as Tajudeen said ” the suffering is too much. It has left me with no other choice but to vote for a better tommorow. I can’t send my children to school. I can’t even feed my family. ” He said.
