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Frenetic countdown to Osun guber polls
By Tajudeen Hamzat
Despite some permutations to the contrary, the ruling APC may lose the forthcoming September 22 gubernatorial polls in Nigeria’s Osun State, The Difference has learnt.
Speaking with a political analyst, Pastor Olanihun Zechariah, he stated that there were several variables that looked set to conspire against the candidate of the ruling party, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola.
According to him, if the election is free and fair, the ruling APC will very clearly lose the contest on account of the schisms within its fold and other variables.
Continuing, he opined that one of these factors was the fact that the Osun central representative in the Federal House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yusuff has not been seen as part of the Gboyega Oyetola campaign train and this is even when he has clearly stated that he will not be supporting him while he would also not leave the party.
He further said that given the fact that the outgoing governor was only able to win his second term with the help of the bloc votes from Oshogbo which had been delivered to him by the likes of Alhaji Fatai Diekola, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Hon Sunday Akere, the former Commisioner for information, the fact that they have all dumped the ruling party was now a point of concern.
His words: “Alhaji Diekola is now a member of PDP, Alhaji Moshood is a member of ADC and Hon Sunday Akere is now a member of ADP and these people were Aregbsola’s backbone in Oshogbo where he always gets his votes at the end of the day to win elections. Also, PDP candidate Senator Ademola Adeleke has a strong hold in Ede just like Iyiola Omisore has historically been very strong in Ife. Going further, these two people will now have to take some of the Oshogbo vote which could make either of them emerge winner”.
On the possibility of the military or federal power being used in the election to influence its outcome, Pastor Zechariah said: “let me tell you, General Olusegun Obasanjo was recently in the state to campaign for ADC African Democratic Party and PDP also have a retired General as well in retired Brigadier-General David Mark just like the APC have Rtd General Muhammadu Buhari, making it a balanced equation. Having three retired generals from three different parties will make them do away with military force and allow for a free and fair election”.
“Let me also state this, I was at Election Evaluation Centre recently and we were told that they will not be any form of federal interference in the election”.
He added that ” as it stands Senator Adeleke is on the edge of winning. Senate President Bukola Saraki and a 75-man delegation will be storming the state on the 19th of September for a mega rally and the 30 billion gang led by Davido will be coming in to also campaign for PDP. Let me confirm to you that most hotels in the state have been booked as many are eager to watch Davido perform but should Adeleke fail to win, Omisore is the other option for people of the state who have presently turned their backs on Gov. Aregbesola,” he affirmed.
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