Ominous Signals For Aregbesola As APC Loses Osun West To Late Adeleke’s Brother

Brother of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Ademola Adeleke has been declared winner of the Osun West senatorial bye-election held on Saturday.

Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the candidate of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led APC party in the state, Mudashiru Hussain by 97,480 to 66,116 votes.

With the victory, he now replaces his brother who died recently at the Senate. He was the sole candidate in APC but defected to the PDP about a day to APC’s primary election. He was eventually returned as PDP’s candidate un-opposed as the party’s other contestants stepped down for him.

Adeleke’s victory, which he secured by winning nine out of 11 local government areas in the district, is viewed by many as a reflection of things to come in the state, with the governorship election slated for next year.

Many have expressed disenchantment for the incumbent administration in the state under the APC, which has been unable to pay workers salaries for several months now.

Allegations are also rife that the little resources the state has earned over the years have been sunk into white elephant projects, with no benefit to people of the state.

With the Victory, PDP now officially controls nine out of the 30 local governments in the state, and poses a greater danger to the chances of APC having a smooth ride in the coming governorship poll in the state.
Read also: Osun 2018: How Sen Adeleke’s death may unsettle Aregbesola’s grand plan
Following Senator Adeleke’s death, Ripples Nigeria had in its story, “Osun 2018: How Senator Adeleke’s death may unsettle Aregbesola’s grand plan” raised such issues as, how the haunting allegation that APC killed Adeleke will be an albatross the ruling party in the state may have to carry with all its possible consequences, going into next year’s governorship election in the state.

In his reaction to the results, Hon Soji Adagunodo, Chairman, PDP, Osun state said the victory was made possible by traditional rulers, Community leaders, professional bodies, pensioners and retirees, Trade Unions, Civil servants, Teachers, Market men and women, Traders and Artisans, Students and Youth organisations, Religious bodies and several other individuals and groups who mobilised support, offered prayers and trooped out in large numbers to elect Otunba Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke as the Senator to represent Osun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

He also commended the Security Agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Media for discharging their duties professionally in the election.