Osun Election: PDP made Aregbesola’s victory possible, says Ogun lawmaker

A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, has called on re-elected Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to thank the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for fielding Iyiola Omisore against him.

The lawmaker, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, stated this in a statement in Abeokuta.

She said the character and antecedents of Omisore was what worked against him at the poll, a development which was to the advantage of the state governor.

“The greatest role to the success of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was carried out by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I think he should be magnanimous enough to thank them for fielding Senator Iyiola Omisore as their candidate,” she said.

“It is important to state that the number of votes in favour of PDP indicates that Aregbesola may not have been this lucky if the PDP has fielded a more ‘man of the people’ candidate. My findings proved that majority of Osun People settled for Aregbesola not because they don’t have anything serious against him but because they don’t see a better option in Omisore and they also have the challenge of trust in him.

“Even the groups and individuals who complained bitterly about his religious fanatism among other issues voted for him. Again, my point with regards to the personality and their track record come to the fore. We are all aware of the fact that the allegation relating to the death of late Chief Bola Ige is still hanging on him. Omisore has also been accused of being pompous and arrogant. He is said to be at variance with Aregbesola on the issue of humility and closeness to the people,” she stated.

Ms. Adeleye-Oladapo said despite the federal apparatus alleged to have been put at Mr. Omisore’s disposal, the people spoke in a loud voice against him.

She said another factor that worked for Aregbesola is that among the APC controlled stated in the south West, Osun is the only one where the party is not factionalised; unlike Oyo State where its APC senators have since defected and Ogun State where its National Assembly members are on their way out of the party.

According to her, Aregbesola’s victory is an indication that the party can succeed when it is united; adding that the governor’s performance in the last three and a half years contributed to his victory.

“So again, I state categorically that Aregbesola’s victory has a whole lot to do with his person and little with the party,” she said.

“As we approach the next general election, it is my belief that political party leaders in Nigeria will learn from the Osun experience and make merit their watchword by fielding candidates that are most acceptable to the people.

“I see the focus being more on individuals and less of the party. If this is not complied with, they may have resources, disburse it accordingly yet, more surprises will spring up,” she warned.