By Festus Ogun

Let me begin this piece by congratulating Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory. As the saying goes, the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. The emergence of Senator Ademola Adeleke is infact worth more than the more criticized dance. It was a triumphant entry into the National Assembly.
The rookie Senator was the flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP). He contested under the political party which was about going into political relegation in Nigeria polity. As much as PDP was widely rejected in the 2015 polls, Adeleke still emerged in a state ruled — and not governed — by the APC. This sends in some serious signals to be discussed herein.

We were taught in Civics that in democratic settings, political parties are voted for and not the candidates. And this is the reason why only names of political parties appear on ballot papers.
However, the case in Osun is different. The PDP never won the election in Osun West but Adeleke did. As much as this appears very illogical, it is the reality we must accept if we want the enhancement of our democracy.

This need be stated in reaction to claims by many chieftains of PDP that the emergence of Senator Ademola Adeleke was the consequence of hard labour put in place by the party leaders and its acceptability amongst the people.

Both Ali Momodu Sheriff and Senator Markafi said “that the victory recorded by the party in the Osun West Senatorial election by Alhaji Nurudeen Adeleke was as a result of hard work.”

Many PDP leaders have persistently boasted that the victory is a prophecy of the party’s take over of power come 2019.

Unfortunately, all of these are quite far from the gospel truth. It was not PDP that made Senator Adeleke won. It was the ego and the “junta” tormenting spirit in Mr Rauf Aregbesola that made him won. It was the people’s will that made him won and not PDP strategies or hard labour.

PDP must resist from self deception — that same attitude that brought about the attempted suicide done to itself in 2015.

It was the expensive error the APC made at the primary that made Senator Adeleke became more acceptable amongst his people. One must not equally forget the “pity votes” casted by the electorates to compensate the deceased, Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s family.

The issue of internal democracy is a serious one in any given election. The lack of internal democracy in PDP was one of the reasons the party was swept away from power. The same reason APC was defeated in Osun too.
Infact, the bedrock of democracy is giving its true definition not just at general elections but also at the primaries.

Governor Aregbesola, who hasn’t done well to his people and has provoked anger in many by abysmal failure rocking his administration, ensured that his anointed candidate emerged as APC flag bearer at the expense of Senator Ademola Adeleke who was the people’s voice. He imposed Mr Mudashiru Hussein on the people of Osun West. He never allowed democracy to prevail.

He never knew that the APC, with the 2015 elections enlightened many Nigerians, politically. That electorates are now wise and detest imposition. He never knew that our nation cannot move forwards if what obtain from within are not aligning with the tenets of democracy. He, therefore, used his hands to send and sell away the selling point of his party at the primary.

Senator Adeleke ran to PDP to contest. It was a day preceding the party’s primary that he got the ticket and he “won”. Many stepped down for him. But, why? It was, in my view, the fact that Aregbesola’s autocratic nature is now believed to be old fashion and evil.

Senator Adeleke contested and won under PDP, but PDP never won the election. It was the people’s will that did. It was not as a result of PDP’s hard work. It was not as if the party has been reformed. It was not as if the party is a preferable option. It was not as if the party is now better.

But, the people knew what they wanted.

Infact, the PDP leaders in the state never ascribed the victory to any hardwork or restructuring. They never ascribed it to its preparedness to take control of governmental machinery. The PDP chair in the state, interestingly, ascribed the victory to God. The chair, Mr Soji Adagunodo ascribed the victory to God saying the victory was beyond human calculation.

The party leaders in the state understand that PDP was merely a beneficiary of the sorry circumstances occasioned by Aregbe’s rigidity. The truth is: even if Senator Adeleke were to contest under APGA, UPN or any party whatsoever, he would have won!

And that is how politics in Nigeria ought to be. We ought not continue to dwell in blind politicking. We need to infact put on our glasses should we find it difficult to pick the right candidates in elections, regardless of parties.

In my humble submission, there are chief lessons to be learnt from the election. First, the mistake made by Aregbesola and acceded by other chieftains is too terrible for our growth. We cannot grow in midst of imposition. For the country to move forward, transparency must be observed in all political dealings. The era of manipulative imposition should be a bye gone in this present stage of our democracy.

But, would the Aregbesola annointed candidate have been defeated if he, Aregbe, had delivered the expected goods as governor? Aregbesola appears more of a disaster to his people and so no one will never support a candidate brought by “hardship” himself. Can you see why it’s good to be good? The PDP would have won Osun-West, but for Aregbesola.

The second is to the PDP. As much as the party is not prepared for being a viable opposition party, the time to come up together and set goals is still available for the party — before it becomes too late. The victory at Osun should not give the party any hope of acceptability. It shouldn’t give them any hope of it standing as a “threat” to the ruling party, APC.

As it stands, there is no opposition in Nigeria. The PDP needs critical reforms for it to stands as one. If the party isn’t a good opposition, the possibility of good governance should it get to power is slim like the road to heaven.

Festus Ogun is a Civil Rights activist, Law undergraduate and covener of Hi-Legal Initiative. Contact him via festusogunlaw@gmail.com

Source: http://www.opinions.ng/sorry-pdp-never-won-osun-west-senatorial-election/

cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

So obvious ... Love our dancing senator.

OP, Festus Ogun should come and contest the Gubernatorial election under APGA so he can win the sit in the next election.

Afonja at it again shifting goal post when it suits them Is this not the same people that have been shouting that PDP is dead and that they vote individuals not party? can we say buhari won 2015 election not APC?

Going by this logic, it is right then to say that APC never won the 2015 presidential elections but PMB did!




Unfortunately, both APC and PMB that won the elections happen to be one of Nigeria's and Nigerians' numerous mistakes!

Ogbeni Festus, next time you want to write something " powerful and incisive", you should submit your work to editorial supervision and proof reading.
You were on to something , but your naivety and amatuerish style is very glaring and poignant.
The Ogaga Ifowodos, louis Odion,Femi Adeshinas of this world started by submitting their works for review by their literary superiors, before becoming their own men.
For any mod to put this on front page, some form of editing would be required.
Who has time for that?

greatgod2012:
Going by this logic, it is right then to say that APC never won the 2015 presidential elections but PMB did!




Unfortunately, both APC and PMB that won the elections happen to be one of Nigeria's and Nigerians' numerous mistakes!

Since you didnt vote Pmb/Apc in 2015 you cant call it a mistake .

Then what would you call the person/party you voted in 2015- a party thats been failing in quick succession for 16 years .

Voting Pmb is not a mistake , its the bad choice among the worst.
And , thats good for a starter

If you live in Osun state ,the only complain people have about Aregbe is that he is owing workers salary.
Even at that, we have to examine that within the confine of present economic situations in nigeria.
Is the state of Osun the only state owing?
Most workers in the state of Osun are in the civil service . Theres no family in tbe state that doesnt have a person or two in the state civil service. Imagine the amount the govt has to cough out monthly to pay salary. States with higher allocation are owing more than Osun
Apart from salary, lets look at infracstructure and education...the op should bring out facts to support this copy and paste post of his to convince us that the govt has performed below its resources

bkool7:


Since you didnt vote Pmb/Apc in 2015 you cant call it a mistake .

Then what would you call the person/party you voted in 2015- a party thats been failing in quick succession for 16 years .

Voting Pmb is not a mistake , its the bad choice among the worst.
And , thats good for a starter

And how do you know that I didn't vote for PMB

I did but I've now realized my mistake. I should have voted for Kowa!

greatgod2012:



And how do you know that I didn't vote for PMB

I did but I've now realized my mistake. I should have voted for Kowa!

That's your headache

Mr op, who told you Aregbe imposed senator mudashir Hussein on the party. It was Adeleke that ran away when he realised that he could not win APC primary. It's better you do your research whenever you want to write an epistle like this next time. Adeleke won through a sympathy votes and those civil servants that refused to live with the reality on ground. PDP candidate in person of Jackson Adeleke won and nothing more, don't ascribed the failure of APC in the last senatorial bye election to mr governor. Meanwhile, the truth is that mr governor is the symbol of APC in Osun state. Any APC candidate can only win by riding on the sitting governor achievement. Tell your paymaster to stop living in delusion.

U will be shock by next year,,,,,am an proudly osun

usmolad:
Mr op, who told you Aregbe imposed senator mudashir Hussein on the party. It was Adeleke that ran away when he realised that he could not win APC primary. It's better you do your research whenever you want to write an epistle like this next time. Adeleke won through a sympathy votes and those civil servants that refused to live with the reality on ground. PDP candidate in person of Jackson Adeleke won and nothing more, don't ascribed the failure of APC in the last senatorial bye election to mr governor. Meanwhile, the truth is that mr governor is the symbol of APC in Osun state. Any APC candidate can only win by riding on the sitting governor achievement. Tell your paymaster to stop living in delusion.

u will be shocked by next year

Nobody Will be shocked. In every election their must be a winner and a loser, you're not only the one that is proud of Osun there a lot of people who care for Osun than you do. If truly you care for Osun other than your pocket, you will not pray for PDP to come and draw us back again. Meanwhile, whatever the outcome of 2018 guber election, history will never forget aregbe for his outstanding performance as the governor of Osun state.

xpensivNas:
u will be shocked by next year

greatgod2012:



And how do you know that I didn't vote for PMB

I did but I've now realized my mistake. I should have voted for Kowa!

Well, i thought about Kowa and NCP , but we all know the battle was strictly btw two parties

inaruwana ! masu wayo