By Femi Adesola
Some of the Osun 2018 gubernatorial aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has rejected the outcome of the primary that produced Senator Ademola Adeleke as the flagbearer of the party in the upcoming governorship election, insisting Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi won the election.
At a press conference this afternoon, five of the aspirants, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, Senator Kola Ogunwale, Prof. Adeolu Durotoye, Dr. Ayoade Adewopo, insisted that Senator Adeleke did not win majority of votes as lawfully required.
The group alleged that Senator Ademola Adeleke scored 1569 as against his major opponent, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi whose actual votes as at the point of sorting was 1690, they also claimed 42 of Dr. Ogunbiyi’s valid votes was counted as void.
“Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke was not the choice of the majority of delegates at the primary election held on Saturday 21st July, 2018 and so could not have been validly nominated by the party,”
“The said Senator Adeleke is the least qualified of the 11 aspirants who obtained forms to contest for the primaries of the PDP in our dear state.”
“Fielding Senator Ademola Adeleke as our governorship candidate will put the chances of our great party at risk in view of the several legal and moral issues which will arise before and during the electioneering campaign.”
“The candidacy of Senator Adeleke will further divide rather than unite the PDP in Osun State in view of the fact that a great number of party members will not feel secure working for him because of the very controversial circumstances of the nomination.”
“The PDP may not be able to secure the support of critical stakeholders in the state with Senator Adeleke’s candidacy because of his not impressive public conduct as a Senator of the federal republic.”
“In view of the foregoing therefore, we the under listed aspirants call on the National leadership of the party to rescind its decision on the nomination of Senator Adeleke as our candidate for the coming 22nd governorship election”
“We call on the national working committee of the PDP to reconsider its stand on the appeal filed by Dr Akin Ogunbiyi who was the actual winner of the primary election with a view to redeeming the hope of our party and that of the good people of Osun state,”
“We are making this call as leaders and major stakeholder in the party who are desirous of salvaging the Osun State PDP and rekindling the hope of thousands of our members in all local government.”
However, the press release contained two other names, Hon. Adejare Bello, Engr. Jide Adeniji, our efforts to reach out to them to verify their involvement is still fruitless as at the time of this publication.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @osundotlife
Advertising on osun.life targets thousands of readers every day from Osun State and from all over the world. With a direct weekly reach of 70,000 and extended weekly reach of 200,000. Call 08037986410 or check our rates page
Have a scoop or story suggestion that osun.life should cover? You can email your tip to us directly at editor@osun.life. We will respect your anonymity.