…Buhari, Atiku, Saraki, Makinde, other PDP govs react
… I’m still studying election results, says Oyetola
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
The keenly-contested governorship election held in Osun State at the weekend has been won and lost, with emerging information indicating that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deployed all in its Arsenal and well as working very hard to defeat incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is as President Muhammadu Buhari; and presidential candidate of the PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President Bukola Saraki, have joined governors of the PDP to speak on the election, congratulating the party and its candidate on the feat.
But Governor Oyetola, while reacting on Sunday, said he and his team of experts were still studying the results as announced by the INEC.
The Returning Officer for the election, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, had declared the candidate of the PDP, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, as winner of the poll in the early hours of Sunday.
Adeleke polled over 403, 000 votes and won in 17 local government areas, while Governor Oyetola won in 13 local government areas.
Recall that Adeleke had lost to the same opponent in the 2018 election be after a disputed supplementary poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said Adeleke, a former Senator and younger brother to the state’s first executive governor, Isiaka Adeleke, defeated Oyetola by a margin of about 44,426 votes.
The final results, as announced by the electoral commission, showed that PDP polled 403,374 votes, while the APC polled 358,948 votes.
However, there were 13 other candidates that took part in the election. These included candidate of Accord, Akin Ogunbiyi; that of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Goke Omigbodun; and that of the Labour Party (LP), a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuf.
The incumbent governor, who had served as Chief of Staff to the immediate-past governor and now Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, had narrowly defeated Adeleke in 2018, albeit in a manner considered controversial by many Nigerians.
Saturday’s election, according to many observers, and particularly civil societies such as Yiaga Africa, Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), among others, was characterised largely by vote-buying.
However, many people have noted that while the electorate collected money from politicians, it appeared they still went ahead to vote according to their conscience.
According to the details of the election released by INEC, in Boluwaduro Local Government, the Returning Officer, Dr Kehinde Bolarinwa, gave the result as: APC – 5649; PDP – 5860.
In Ilesa-East Local Government, Professor Adepoju Tejumaye, the Returning Officer, declared that: Registered voters – 73440;
Accredited voters – 27179; APC – 13452; PDP – 10969 votes.
In Ila Local Government, Dr. Aderonke Lawal Are, the Returning Officer, gave the result as: Registered voters – 46623; Accredited voters – 24947; APC – 11163; PDP – 13036.
Also, in Atakumosa-West Local Government, Dr. Adeola Oloyede, the Returning Officer, submitted: Registered voters – 36470; Accredited voters – 15171; APC – 6601; PDP – 7750.
In Ifelodun Local Government Area, Professor Akinyemi Akinloye, the Returning Officer, gave the outcome as: Registered voters – 80021; Accredited voters – 34860; APC – 16068; PDP – 17107.
Likewise, in Ilesa-West Local Government Area, Registered voters were 71001; Accredited voters – 26364; APC – 10777; PDP – 13769.
In Ayedire Local Government Area, where Professor Ifeh Iphomohosa was the Returning Officer, the result was: Registered voters – 37,092; Accredited voters – 17,284; Accord – 1,510; APC – 7,868; PDP – 7,402. In Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Associate Professor Awotinfa Joseph was the Returning Officer. He gave the result as: Registered voters – 66,866; Accredited voters – 28,864; APC – 13,482; PDP – 14,003.
Also, in Boripe Local Government Area, Dr. Mogbademu Adesanmi, was the Returning Officer. The announced results were, Registered voters – 69,538; Accredited voters – 30,563; APC – 21,205; PDP- 7,595.
In Obokun Local Government, Dr. Adewole Rufai was the Returning Officer. The results are: Registered voters – 53,267; Accredited voters – 24;447; APC – 9,727; PDP – 13,575.
In Orolu Local Government Area, the results, as announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Elijah Oyeyemi, are: Registered voters – 39,653; Accredited voters – 21,182; APC – 9,928; PDP- 10,282. In Olorunda Local Government Area, Dr. James Akanmu, was the Returning Officer. The results are: Registered voters – 104,700; Accredited voters – 42,009; APC – 18,709; PDP – 21,350.
Also in Osogbo Local Government, where Professor Musa Obalola was the Returning Officer, the results are: Registered voters – 142,459; Accredited voters – 56,020; APC – 22,952; PDP – 30,401. In Ife-North Local Government, Registered voters were 58,672; Accredited voters – 21,774; APC – 9,964; PDP – 10,359.
In Ifedayo Local Government, Dr. Aderonke Samuel, was the Returning Officer. The results are: Registered voters – 19,598; Accredited voters – 10,300; APC – 5,016; PDP – 4,730.
In Ife-Central Local Government, Professor J. Adewara was Returning Officer. He announced that Registered voters were 113,232; Accredited voters – 33,413; APC – 17,880; PDP – 13,532. In Irepodun Local Government, Professor Omobolanle Ademiluwa was
Returning Officer. The results are: Registered voters – 57,712; Accredited voters – 29,913; APC – 12,122; LP – 1,886; PDP – 14,369.
Also in Oriade Local Government, Professor Sunday Adebisi announced: Registered voters – 69,651; Accredited voters – 31,798; APC – 14,189; LP – 24; PDP – 15,947. In Ayedaade Local Government, Professor Johnson Agunsoye announced: Registered voters – 67,651; Accredited voters – 29,696; APC – 14,527; LP – 20; PDP – 13,380.
In Ola-Oluwa Local Government, Professor Sunday Philo was Returning Officer. He announced: Registered voters – 37,149; Accredited voters – 17,214; APC – 9,123; LP – 12; PDP – 7,205. In Iwo Local Government, the Returning Officer, Professor Khalid Adekoya, announced: Registered voters – 90,051; Accredited voters – 36,591; APC – 17,421; LP – 32; PDP – 16,914.
In Ede South Local Government, where Dr. Olayinka Agunloye was the Returning Officer, Registered voters were 54,872; Accredited voters – 26,306; APC – 5,704; LP – 16; PDP – 19,438. In Isokan Local Government, Dr. Bamidele Samuel was the Returning Officer. He announced: Registered voters – 53,288; Accredited voters – 23,051; APC – 10,833; LP – 17; PDP – 10,777.
In Irewole Local Government, Professor Luqman Adams announced: Registered voters – 74,268; Accredited voters – 34,430; APC – 18,198; LP – 17; PDP – 14216. In Ejigbo Local Government, Dr. Caleb Olarewaju announced: Registered voters – 73,750; Accredited voters – 34,387; APC – 14,355; LP – 30; PDP – 18,065.
Also, in Egbedore Local Government, Dr. Babatunde Sawyer announced: Registered voters – 53,150; Accredited voters – 24,283; APC – 9,228; LP – 41; PDP – 13,230. In Ede North Local Government, where Professor Abayomi Okanlawon was Returning Officer, Registered voters were 71,748; Accredited voters – 34,735; APC – 9,603; LP – 15; PDP – 23,931. In Atakumosa-East Local Government, Professor Olujinmi Akinleye announced: Registered voters – 41,027; Accredited voters – 15,497; APC – 7,449; LP – 23; PDP – 6,992.
In Ife-South Local Government, Professor Oluwafemi Olaoluwa announced: Registered voters – 56,706; Accredited voters – 22,927; APC – 12,481; LP – 28; PDP – 9,116.
And finally, in Ife-East Local Government, Professor Muhammed Amuda was the Returning Officer. He announced that: Registered voters – 114,403; Accredited voters – 41,006; APC – 19,353; LP – 65; PDP – 18,071.
Prior to the announcement of the election’s results, there had been political mudslinging of various hues. The PDP had fired a salvo at the APC over the poll, calling its presidential candidate, Tinubu, “the unsettled presidential candidate.”
The party alleged that Tinubu’s “rushing to Abuja in the face of the defeat of his party, the APC, in the Osun State governorship election cannot overturn the will of the people at the poll.”
According to a statement released as the process was ongoing by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, “our party is already aware that APC leaders are rushing to Abuja in a desperate move to manipulate the process and frustrate the smooth conclusion of the election, having realised that the APC has been rejected by the
people.
“Asiwaju Tinubu must know that the people of Osun State have spoken and that his running to Abuja cannot save the deflated Governor
Gboyega Oyetola from the reverberating verdict of the ballot box.
“Our party charges the INEC and the APC leadership in Abuja to note that the course of the election is already known to all and that the people of Osun State will never accept any outcome to the contrary.
“The PDP charges INEC to resist the manipulations and pressure from the APC by sticking to its assurance to the people that the election will be transparent and conclusive at the first ballot.
“The PDP congratulates the people of Osun State and urges them to remain at alert, protect their votes and ensure that the results declared at the polling centers are not altered but duly reflected at the collation and final declaration.
“We also congratulate all democratic institutions, stakeholders and all patriots who stood by the people to achieve this great shift.”
In a similar development, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, in the heat of the Osun election, debunked the insinuation that his principal’s absence at the Osun PDP last rally had anything to do with the PDP presidential ticket.
He argued that despite his absence, Governor Makinde provided logistical supports needed for participants, adding that the party had worked hard and left no stone untuened to secure victory in the Saturday election.
“Despite the absence of Governor Seyi Makinde from the mega rally of the PDP for the Osun State governorship election on Thursday, he ensured that adequate logistics arrangement was made to convey party members from the Ibadan Airport to Osogbo,” he said.
The absence of three PDP governors at the rally had reportedly raised eyebrows, as speculation became rife that they did not attend because of their anger over how former Vice President Abubakar Atiku’s running mate was selected.
However, debunking the rumour, Adisa said it was wrong to ascribe the governor’s absence at the rally to the running mate issue, explaining that the Oyo State Chief Executive was unable to attend the Osogbo event, because he had been outside the country to attend to crucial issues in Europe, which clashed with the timing of the Osogbo rally.
“Apart from all these, the Chief of Staff to the Governor led officials of Oyo State to the rally. So, there is no truth in the speculations linking the absence of Makinde from the Osogbo rally to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s vice presidential candidacy,” he said.
Similarly, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiya, informed that he was fully aware that the Akwa-Ibom State governor would have been in Osogbo, but for some circumstances beyond his control.
According to him, Governor Udom Emmanuel had no issue with the choice of Okowa as running mate to Atiku.
“He is equally not at war with the leadership of the party over the matter. His absence from the Osogbo campaign rally was actually due to circumstances beyond his control,” the former PDP spokesman added.
On Governor Nyesome Wike, a source close to his office also affirmed that the Rivers governor did not stay away from the rally to give expression to his disappointment over his non-selection as the PDP presidential running mate.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous because of lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, said there was no truth in the speculation that the former presidential aspirant shunned the meeting deliberately.
Meanwhile, President Buhari, while congratulating Senator Adeleke, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the people of Osun Stat had expressed their will through the ballot, and that the will of the people ought to alway matter and be respected in a democracy.
“President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following victory of the party in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State.
“With the election over, the president expresses conviction that the people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot, and the will of the people must always matter and be respected in a democracy.
“President Buhari notes that the successful conduct of the election is a further testimony to the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders – the electoral body, security agencies, political parties, the media,
civil society and the electorate – to further strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in the country.
“The president reassures the nation that the commitment of this administration towards having credible elections remains unshaken,” Adesina said.
Also, Alhaji Atiku and Makinde, among other top members of the PDP, congratulated Senator Adeleke on Sunday. Atiku said Adeleke’s triumph was a well-fought victory.
He thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the success as well as felicitated the people of Osun State “for proving that power, indeed, belongs to the people.”
Apart from Makinde, some other governors elected on the PDP platform, including Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, the party’s vice presidential candidate, also congratulated the governor-elect.
Makinde tweeted on Sunday that: “On behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo State, I congratulate the governor-elect, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, and the people of Osun State on this victory.
“It’s great to have a second PDP flag flying in the South-West. Truly, power resides with the people.”
Besides, the Oyo governor’s CPS, Adisa, in a statement on Sunday, said his principal described Adeleke’s victory as similar to what happened in Oyo State during the 2019 governorship election, when the people exercised their franchise in support of an opposition party.
Makinde, who hailed the teeming voters across the 30 local government areas of Osun State for standing by the PDP and staying resolute to ensure that their votes counted, said: “it’s great to have a second PDP flag flying in the South-West.”
Adisa said the governor equally lauded Senator Adeleke, PDP members and Osun State voters for remaining strong and unwavering throughout the electioneering period.
A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also shared a video of himself with Adeleke’s nephew and music star, Davido, during the period of the collation of results by INEC.
However, Governor Oyetola said he was still studying the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election. Oyetola said this in a statement by his CPS, Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday in Osogbo.
He said the APC had taken cognizance of the results of the governorship election as announced by the INEC on Sunday.
The governor, however, noted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party. Oyetola called on his supporters to remain calm, and that the people of the state should go about their businesses without let or hindrance.
The governor also called on security operatives to ensure maintenance of law and order, while also directing security operatives to take adequate charge so as to prevent breakdown of law and order.
