The victory of Mr Ademola Adeleke in Saturday’s Osun West senatorial district by-election appear to have renewed hopes in the two factions of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ali Modu Sheriff’s leadership and the Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party have continued to bask in the euphoria of the PDP candidate’s victory.
In a statement yesterday by the spokesman of the Makarfi group, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party described the victory as a reflection of the reawakening of Nigerians to the alleged deceit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Makarfi mocked the APC, saying the electorate in Osun State rejected the ruling party.
The statement said: “The people have spoken with one voice and we know that Ademola Adeleke will deliver on his promises to the people.
“The successful outcome of this election is an evidence of hard work, dedication and the unity of all members of the PDP in Osun State who buried temporary differences in the overall interest of the party and the good people of Osun State.
“We are confident that without the interference of the APC in the current leadership issues in our party, the PDP remains the party to beat in all elections in Nigeria.
“Even as we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we urge our members to unite in the interest of Nigerians to rid the country of the horrible APC government.
“Finally, we congratulate the people of Osun West for coming out en mass to vote for our candidate and for their peaceful conduct during the election. We also congratulate our members in Osun State for this important victory.”
In a separate statement, the party’s National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo, said the outcome of the poll reflected the wishes of the electorate.
Oladipo hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate for the peaceful conduct of the poll.
The party’s secretary noted that the peaceful conduct of the by-election rekindled hope in the nation’s electoral system.
He said the PDP’s candidate won the election, despite all odds and the power of incumbency “nakedly displayed” by the APC-controlled state government.
Oladipo attributed the victory to the absence of impunity through which Adeleke was elected, adding that PDP’s leadership refused to impose a candidate for the election.
The statement added: “We have to thank all the stakeholders in the bye election for their peaceful conduct and for allowing the votes of the electorate to count this time around -no tales of inconclusive election.
“We are very happy as a political party. The outcome of the election reflected the wishes of the Osun West senatorial district electorate.
“INEC’s officials, security agencies and the electorate, by their exemplary conduct, have made a great contribution to deepening our hard-earned democracy.
“The future of the country is very bright if INEC will continue to handle future elections in the country as it did in the Osun by-election.”
Senator-elect for Osun West Senatorial District, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday said his victory in last Saturday’s by-election brought hope to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s governorship election in the state.
He also said his victory on the platform of the PDP was a testament that Nigerian democracy was alive.
Addressing reporter in Ede, Adeleke said Nigerians must allow democracy to continue to grow as the people of Osun State have demonstrated in the by-election.
The senator-elect said his victory proved that the power of incumbency could be defeated at the poll, if there was a collective will to achieve a good purpose.
He said: “The PDP’s victory in the election was a glimmer of hope and light in the party. It would surely shine forth and pave way for another victory yet again in the forthcoming governorship election in the state next year as well as the general election in 2019.
“My middle name, Nurudeen, means light (in Arabic); in Yoruba, it means Imole. So, my new position as a senator would bring light to Osun State and Osun West constituency for dividends of democracy. With light, the darkness pervading the land and poverty and backwardness among our people would be over.
“I promise to tread on my late brother’s people-oriented path. I will toe his path the way he cared for the less privileged through empowerment programmes and put smiles on their faces. I have learnt enough from him.”
Adeleke announced a N250 million scholarship for the education of indigent children in his constituency.
He said the scholarship would soon be shared equally among the 10 local government areas in Osun West.
