The list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suggests that the September 22 governorship election in Osun State will be tough. There are 48 political parties and 48 names on the list. But observers believe that only five of them are serious contenders. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines the factors that will dominate the contest and the antecedents of the leading contenders.

ON paper, 48 candidates representing 48 political parties are contesting the September 22 governorship election in Osun State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cleared the 48 candidates to contest the election.

Nevertheless, only about five of them are expected to be the major contenders. These are: Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Fatai Akinbade of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); immediate past SSG, Mr. Moshood Adeoti of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); and Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Two main issues appear to dominate the election: zoning and continuity. Already, the agitation for zoning is causing ripples in the state, ahead of the contest. Political stakeholders from Osun West senatorial district, which has not produced a governor before, have been clamouring that a candidate from the zone should be given a chance to become the next governor, after Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the APC completes his tenure in November.

The argument put forth by the proponents of Osun West for governor agitation is that the remaining two districts, namely Osun Central and Osun East, have had their fair share of the exalted office. Since the creation of Osun State in 1991, Osun West has only occupied the governorship seat for less than two years, when the first civilian governor, the late Isiaka Adeleke, occupied the position during the aborted Third Republic. But, the remaining two districts have been enjoying the seat interchangeably.

Chief Bisi Akande, from Osun Central, served a four-year term between 1999 and 2003, while Prince Oyinlola, also from Osun Central, spent almost eight years in office before he was sacked by the tribunal. Governor Aregbesola, who replaced Oyinlola, is about to complete his eight-year tenure in November. Aregbesola is from Osun East district.



Oyetola

Oyetola served in the Aregbesola administration from inception in the last seven and half years as the Chief of Staff. During this period, he is believed to have earned favour in the sight of the governor as one of the pillars behind the administration. Though Oyetola has on several occasions denied being endorsed by Aregbesola, sources say the governor sees him as someone who can build on the foundation the administration has laid.

Oyetola has been active in politics in the past 20 years; since the return of current civilian dispensation. He is said to be one of the founding members of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1998. When the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was formed, he was also one of the party’s notable chieftains in Osun State.

Though he has been active in Osun politics in the last 20 years, Oyetola has not contested for any election position over the years. But, the APC flag bearer is believed to be prepared for the task ahead. He is said to have amassed supporters and a strong followership in all the 332 wards in the state. He said: “I have toured every nook and cranny of this state, consulting the stakeholders. I don’t discuss campaign issues with the governor.”

Oyetola turns 64 seven days after the governorship election. He was born on September 29, 1954, in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in insurance from the University of Lagos in 1978 and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1990 from the same institution. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London and Nigeria and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

http://thenationonlineng.net/48-in-race-for-osun-government-house/

Too small

If it is in China, you will be seeing nothing less than 11,723 contestants

The people of Osun State and Nigeria at large should please learn from the Chinese people

SolutionMee:


Too small

If it is in China, you will be seeing nothing less than 11,723 contestants

The people of Osun State and Nigeria at large should please learn from the Chinese people