By Emeka Alex Duru
Less than a week to the Saturday, September 22, governorship election in Osun, activities in the state are on the upscale. With the political parties rounding off their rallies, the stage is set for the epic battle.
48 political parties are fielding candidates for the exercise. Four of the candidates are women. They are; Rufai Adebisi Mujidat of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Jegede Hannah Taiwo of the Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP), Ayodele Mercy Tosin of the Restoration Party (RP), and Adebayo Rasheedat of Peoples Alliance for National Development and Liberty (PANDEL).
Of the lot however, the election is expected by many to be a straight fight for five leading candidates. These are Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Fatai Akinbade of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Adeoti Moshood of the Africa Democratic Party (ADP).
Going by the unfolding development, the layout points to a paradigm shift in the politics of the state. Since the onset of the current civilian administration, the governorship contest in Osun, had largely been a two-horse affair.
In 1999, it was basically an encounter between the PDP and the then Alliance for Democracy. Between 2003 and 2014 when AD had metamorphosed through many phases before fusing with other political parties to APC, it had still been a two-horse race. Women had also not been governorship candidates in the state. The nearest they had attained was being running mates.
But with the current arrangement, the involvement of the women has become more pronounced, though relatively smaller in comparison with the number of men in the contest.
The battle has also shifted from being an affair between the PDP and APC. In fact, the last governorship election in the State in 2014 was between the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Omisore
Godfathers at war
In what also seems a reflection of the trend in the South West, the leading parties in Osun, show representation of the various political tendencies in the zone.
The leadership of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, are for instance, said to be backing Oyetola, APC candidate for the poll.
In sharp contrast, the elders of Afenifere, apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, are counted behind Omisore. In fact, his SDP platform, has strong ties with erstwhile secretary to the government of the federation, Olu Falae.
On its part, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strong links to former President Olusegun Obasanjo who has been vocal in his criticism of the president, Muhammadu Buhari and the APC.
It is thus, a battle of the godfathers, in a way, analysts suggest. What may therefore count mostly for the candidates in the Saturday election, may be their individual characters and perception by the people.
The candidates, the people
For Oyetola, his participation in the Aregbesola administration where he was the governor’s chief of staff, should count as an advantage. His emergence as the APC flag bearer through direct primary, is already being flaunted by his supporters as a measure of his popularity in the state.
But the baggage of serving under an administration that will bequeath a debt burden on the state, remains his greatest challenge. Also, with backlog of salary arrears to the state’s civil servants, he may need to do much to convince the voters that he will not toe the line of the governor in that odious attitude.
His manner of emergence as the APC candidate, still remains controversial, weeks after. Based on strong allegations that the primary was skewed to favour him, the other 17 aspirants for the ticket, have remained embittered ever since. There have also been cases of defections from the party, subsequently.
There is also the insinuation of his blood relationship with Tinubu, the former Lagos governor. The disclosure which comes at a time insinuations are high that the former governor is having issue with his erstwhile allies in Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo, over his perceived domineering tendencies, may pose huge obstacle to Oyetola.
That may work in favour of Adeleke of PDP. Still basking in the popularity and sentiments that saw him to the senate, following his brother (Isiaka Adeleke)’s death, the Senator, may still reap from the mood. This is especially as the Osun electorate are asking for change from the Aregbesola-related leadership.
But Adeleke’s emergence as the PDP candidate and the controversies trailing the exercise, may not be in his favour. To add to this, the unsettled issue of his academic qualification, may haunt him at the poll.
Critics further allege that aside the comic relief he brings along with his regular dance steps, he is not known to have made visible contributions on the floor of the upper law making chambers.
In the event of the people deciding to look beyond the PDP and APC, therefore, Omisore, former deputy governor of the state and erstwhile Senator, looks good. With profound intellectual depth and on the job experience which he garnered while serving under Bisi Akande, he poses a credible alternative.
However, the allegation of his involvement in the murder of late Justice Minister and governor of old Oyo State, Bola Ige, is an issue he still has to contend with. Though there has not been any conviction on him over the matter, hid critics still hype the matter, years after.
Fatai Akinbade of ADC, and Adeoti Moshood of ADP, may not command the name recognition as Oyetola (APC), Adeleke (PDP) and Omisore (SDP). But each of them may spring surprises on a good day, especially given the strength of the personalities and platforms backing them.
On the surface therefore, Osun looks good to go on Saturday. What may however determine how well the entire thing goes, may be the conduct and organisation of the election.
INEC, Police pledge hitch-free poll
Incidentally, both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Police have assured of free and fair election. INEC according to the Chairman, Prof. Yakoob Mahmood, has made fool-proof arrangements that will ensure transparent exercise. Party of this, is the recruitment and mobilisation of necessary personnel for the election.
In similar vein, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, is said to have dispatched eight Commissioners of Police, 40,000 personnel including two helicopters, 30 armoured personnel carriers and 300 patrol vehicles for the election.
The Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, who made the disclosure, explained that the security operation would be coordinated by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Joshak Habila, who would be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, aside the eight Commisioners.
Moshood in a statement, added that the personnel on the ground comprised the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit; the Special Protection Unit; the Anti-Bomb Squad; conventional policemen; the Armament Unit, personnel of Federal Investigation and Intelligence Department, IGP Monitoring, IGP Intelligence Response teams, the Sniffer dogs section and the Mounted Troop.
“Four unarmed policeman and two others from other security agencies will be on duty at each voting point throughout the state”, he stressed.
Other security agencies are equally said to making ranges of deployment of personnel for the exercise.
