Osun guber: Dancing governor-elect and euphoria of victory

LATEEF IBRAHIM in Osogbo examines the ecstatic celebration that followed the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state culminating in vandalisation, especially, of the billboard bearing the ruling party.

Senator Ademola Adeleke’s declaration as the governor-elect of Osun state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last weekend sparked off ecstatic jubilation all over and later taken too far leading to disruption of peace in the serene state.

To the people of Ede, the hometown of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governor-elect, it was an unprecedented moment to savour at the announcement of their illustrious son as the democratically elected as governor.

Expectedly, the ecstatic crowd poured into the streets, some of them displaying rare skills as they dangerously ride their motorbikes, some shooting and dancing in celebration of their new crown.

The PDP supporters also extended the celebration to Osogbo, the state capital, where it culminated in the vandalization of any poster in sight bearing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or its candidate, Oyetola.

At the popular Olaiya junction, the jubilant destroyed the billboard of governor Adegboyega Oyetola and headed to other streets like Odi-Olowo, Alekuwodo, Okefia and Old-garage to destroy the banners of the ruling APC.

The jubilant youths carried dangerous weapons, recklessly riding motorcycles and chanting songs to mock Oyetola and his party.

Senator Adeleke was declared the winner of the election having polled 403,371 to defeat governor Oyetola who got 357,027 votes. He won with a margin of 28,344 votes.

In his acceptance speech, Adeleke dedicated his victory to his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke and saluted the courage and determination of the people of the state.

“I commend men and women of goodwill, the young and the old. I am overwhelmed by your love and support. Our state has turned a new page. We have launched a landmark path for the progress and prosperity of our people.

“It is therefore with a strong faith in God and trust in our people that I accept my election as the governor of Osun state. I pledge my total commitment to the best interest of the state and her people,” Adeleke stated.

Governor Oyetola, however, reacted to the judgment, saying he would study the results announced by the INEC to know the next line of action. He stated that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party.

His Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola called on his supporters to remain calm, and the people of the state to go about their businesses without let or hindrance.

To the security operatives, he urged them to ensure the maintenance of law and order. He, has, therefore, directed security operatives to take adequate charge to prevent break down of law and order.

Why Adeleke won

Interaction with some residents revealed that the people are tired of the economic policy of the federal government as they openly lament hunger and hardship.

“Some people are tired of the APC government and they could hardly differentiate between the federal and the state government”, one of the respondents summarized.

Another factor that helped Adeleke was the fear of workers that Oyetola might stop regular payment of salary if reelected and they referred to what happened during the second term of Aregbesola.

Findings showed that Aregbesola started owing workers and pensioners when he was re-elected for the second term in the state.

Also, the unpaid arrears of workers and petitioners was used as a major campaign strategy, particularly as number one, in his five-point agenda, promising to ensure regular payment of salary and pension if elected.

“First line charge for workers’ welfare, salaries, gratuities, and pensions; boosting state economy by business, partnering and support for the business class; Osun money serving Osun people through homegrown infrastructure policy; People-focused social policy through skill-based education, affordable health care, state security, and social security support; and Agro-based Industrialisation for wealth and job creation for youths and women.”

Internal wrangling of APC

The internal wrangling within the APC also contributed to the poor performance of Oyetola in the election. For example, Osogbo, Olorunda, Iwo and some local governments that have been the stronghold of APC were lost to the PDP.

Another respondent who pleaded anonymity accused allies of the former governor and Minister of Interior, Aregbesola, of working for the opposition.

About 30 minutes after the announcement of the winner by the INEC, Aregbesola posted a Bible verse that generated controversy on his Facebook page.

The Facebook post of Aregbesola read: Osun Le Tente. “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the highest ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:17).

This action, according to political analysts, confirmed the reason why Aregbesola boycotted the poll and allegedly directed his allies to work for PDP.

Just in February this year, Aregbesola during a campaign for the factional governorship candidate, Moshood Adeoti, declared a war, saying “the same thing that happened to Ambode in Lagos will happen to Oyetola.”

Shortly after the reactions that greeted the post, a media adviser to the Minister, Sola Fasure, described the message as unauthorized, saying it has been deleted.

Fasure in defence of his boss said, “it has come to the attention of the media office of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, that an unauthorized message was posted on his Verified Twitter and Facebook Pages at about 8:00 am on Sunday 17th July 2022.

“The unauthorized messages have now been deleted. Members of the public, especially the media, are advised to ignore.”

Despite the withdrawal of the message from Facebook, some people commented “blame not anybody but Buhari. How can a Minister representing a state, on behalf of a party, be absent completely in all activities of the party at a time when he is needed most? It won’t happen under any presidency.”

One Anthony Adedigba wrote: “Ogbeni, you’re a legend sir. Respect sir…!
Someday, the cup you used to serve them today will be used to measure yours too. Till then, enjoy this respect you’ve earned yourself.”

Furthermore, some of the splinter groups of the APC, The Osun Progressives (TOP), had been mocking Oyetola on social media. One man simply identified as Isiaq posted, “we need to show Oyetola that he’s nothing without TOP.” Another person posted “see, am APC but Oyetola has gone.”

Political observers stressed that the reaction of Aregbesola’s allies further confirmed the rumour that Aregbesola and his supporters worked for the opposition party in the election.

Another factor that boosted Adeleke’s chances was vote buying which was said to be prominent between the APC and PDP.

An election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa said, “there was open negotiation of buying and selling of votes well-coordinated by the polling agents in many of the polling units.

“There were no complaints from any of them against each other. Codes and coupons were used to extract commitments from voters as opposed to the blatant money exchanging hands observed in the Ekiti State Governorship election.”

Political observers noted that some members of the PDP are determined to wrest power and they showed commitment to it, while only a few are making efforts to return Oyetola for the second term among his supporters.

According to Yemi Aboderin, a political analyst and broadcaster, “high cost of inflation, resulting in uncontrolled cost of living could be one of the effects.

He said, “disunity within the rank and file of the party in the state significantly affected the chances of the party.

“When the party was stronger and united in 2018,it struggled to win the election,but now that some members of the party under the banner of TOP were at dagger drawn with the main party, it affected the chances of the party.

“Some of those who formed the cabinet lacked the appropriate electoral value to assist the party in winning the election.

“The kitchen cabinet is populated by sycophants who mostly advised the governor wrongly.

“Some of the public statements by the stalwarts of the party in the media and the public were not in the best interest of the party.

“The gale of defections were of no significant value to the poll.
Rather,it was an opportunity for of the gullible party members to cash out, knowing fully well that the party might not have headway.

“The administration failed to address significantly, desires and expectations of workers as promised during the 2018 campaign,” Aboderin added.

The governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Diri Duoye, and other chieftains of the PDP were in Ede, the hometown of Adeleke till the INEC declared him the winner of the election. They all left in the morning after the declaration of the winner.

APC studying the results

The spokesperson to Prince Gboyega Famodun, the APC state chairman, Kola Olabisi, said the party is not ready to comment until it studied the situation to know what next to do.

“It is too early for me to comment now because those that are appropriate t comment are still studying the judgment. We will give you a comprehensive responses as soon as we are ready.”