By Jamiu Ganiyu
The Ede born billionaire and founder of Adeleke University, Dr. Deji Adeleke, has rejected the adoption of his brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke as the sole gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2022 governorship election of Osun State by some leaders of the opposition party.
The leaders had on Tuesday gathered at the Ede Country home for a thanksgiving programme after Supreme Court upheld the election of Gboyega Oyetola as the duly elected Governor of Osun state.
Dr. Deji while reacting to the adoption of his brother by some leaders of the party advised the opposition party to allow the contest to be opened to all members of the party who are interested in the exalted office in order to deepen internal democracy within the party.
In his words, ” I am not a card carrying member of any political party but I am a sympathizer/ supporter of PDP in Osun State. Osun State PDP will be better off and well prepared, for the next general election in the State, if internal democracy is encouraged and enforced. All elective positions, including the position of Governor of the State, should be open to all members of the party to contest in a transparent Primary Elections. Everyone must be given a sense of belonging, in order to grow the party in Osun State.
“The PDP members that are trading blames within the party should be reminded that PDP won the Governorship Election held on 22nd September 2018, but was not allowed to take office by the powers that be in the Ruling Party. Members should be proud that the electorate sided with the party against the ruling party in that Election and not blame each other for the day light robbery that deprived the party of the mandate freely given by the Good People of Osun State, which has brought SHAME and DISGRACE to Nigeria as Country”
“AS for the Adeleke Family of which I am one, we will like to remind all PDP members that Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, had no intention to contest the Governorship Election in the first place, but was invited and prevailed upon by the Party leadership and Party Elders to contest the Governorship Election, which he and his family accepted most reluctantly after receiving assurances and promises that were NEVER KEPT. Everything that followed after this, is now History. Senator Adeleke should, therefore be given a break, to take his Well-Deserved Rest and decide what he will do/not do when the time comes”, he concluded.
You would recalled that at the thanksgiving ceremony, the Chief of Staff to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Elder Peter Babalola, moved a motion that the party should adopt Adeleke as the sole Governorship Candidate of the party in the next election, while the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Honorable Diran Odeyemi, moved the motion for the adoption of the business mogul and billionaire, Dr Deji Adeleke, as the Leader of the Party in Osun state.
Dignitaries who attended the event were members of the State Working Committee, Chief Layi Ogunrinade, Chief Ajeigbe, Alhaji Asifat Olarinde; Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Honourable Diran Odeyemi; Akogun Lere Oyewumi, Alhaji Gani Ayobami Olaoluwa, Alhaji Fatai Diekola, Alhaji Tajudeeen Oladipo, Omo Oba Dotun Babayemi, and Chief Mrs Dupe Adeleke Sanni, the sister of Senator Ademola Adeleke.