…AS Winning Parties Rely on SDP Manifesto For Electoral Victory in Osun State
By Chibuike Nwbuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Election in Osun state has moved from #OsunDecides to #OmisoreDecides due largely to three actors who share common idiosyncrasy of lack of focus and bereft of self-confidence and as such, falling on each other in order to get attention of an otherwise failed governorship aspirant, Chief Iyiola Omisore who could not save himself in the same election he participated.
Omisore who came third in the Saturday’s inconclusive Osun governorship election has been made popular and his house turned to a mecca of sort for political blessing as the officials of People Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress troop to him for recognition and endorsement.
From the irrelevant position of third, Omisore is today the most relevant personality in Osun state as the two contending political parties in tomorrow’s (Thursday) election are carrying on as if Omisore is the custodian of the Permanent Voters Cards of the electorates that will take part in the seven (7) wards where the election will take place.
First, had Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) organized itself well, the election would not have been inconclusive as all available evidence pointed at the commission as largely responsible for the supplementary election. It was reported by both local and international observers that last Saturday’s Osun governorship election was one of the most peaceful election witnessed in the recent past. Be that as it may, one can be write to say that Osun people were ready to vote their governor but INEC had an ulterior motive and it was the attempt by the commission to act its script that one of its official was allegedly caught destroying a result sheet. Recall that it was also alleged that the vote for a political party was under-reported at the collation centre different from what was counted at polling units. If true, these anomalies by an empire that is expected to the neutral is instrumental to this inconclusive election. Therefore INEC needs to purge itself of some unpatriotic officials who are willing tool in the hands of politicians.
Now with victory at stake in Osun state for both parties, the PDP and APC are holding on any available straw to emerge victorious in the Thursday’s (tomorrow) supplementary election in the state. This has given rise to the resort to Omisore factor – call him a “sort after political god-father” now and you won’t be wrong. This is why the OsunDecides has become OmisorDecides.
These two parties have approached the former senator and juicy promises made to him to get his support. Shortly after the declaration of inconclusive election by INEC, Senate President Bukola Saraki met with Senator Iyiola Omisore. Saraki after the meeting at Ile-Ife announced through his twitter handle @bukolasaraki that: “We have agreed to work together because our goals are the same. We all want good governance in Osun state. Over the next 24hours we will work out the details. #OsunDecides2018.
Similarly, a team of the All Progressives Congress led by its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole was reported to have visited the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omidsore where they sealed a deal with him. It was alleged that he was promised a ministerial portfolio if he supports the ruling party. This is how relevant his third position at the Saturday’s poll has made him.
Finally, Senator Omisore whose voice is exopected to decide how tomorrow’s election will go has spoken. He has declared what he expects as electorates from the seven wards where election was cancelled file out tomorrow to cast their vote. Senator Omisore disclosed this in a statement signed by his media aide, Jide Fakorede. Hear what Omisore said:
My interest is in good governance of Osun State.
According to him, what is paramount to him is the practice of true democracy in Osun State. Omisore firmly states that he will never renege on his promise of good governance, accountability and human dignity in Osun state.
Omisore said “Osun state has always been a stellar example of democracy where the people have consistently and freely expressed their franchise to determine who governs them. This should remain so. Osun people have shown that it is not business as usual. It is a positive deviation from what was hitherto the norm.
I am telling my people that they should go with any political party that believes in what we in the SDP stand for; good governance, social justice and accountability. I have already detailed how we planned to restore Osun to the path of good governance through the five thematic pillars in the manifesto I shared during the electioneering. I will not negotiate for personal gains and abandon my people.
“My alliance is with the people of Osun state irrespective of the political party they belong. I want my people to be treated with the dignity they deserve. I desire that they have a government that will be accountable to them. I want them to experience the good governance the founding fathers of this state envisaged. I have told the parties that have solicited for my support to approach the electorates and ask for their mandate as I have assured them that I will not coerce them for political or social power. It is because I have kept my promise that has made me enjoyed their unalloyed support all these years.
As highlighted in SDP manifestos, the five thematic pillars the SDP had hoped to implement to improve governance, eliminate financial reckless and reposition the economy of Osun state include: Economic management and accountability; Professionalism and performance; Equity in access to service; Local content and innovation and Security. To this end, he has said to all Nigerians that this is the centre point of his campaign and “democracy we both fought for and believe in. It is the right and democratic freedom of people to choose by their own free will. Their votes should not be coerced by money, vote buying, intimidation in form of militarisation, political and social power.
“Their voices of demand for good governance, accountability and human dignity should continue to be heard as well as salaries paid. All these are what I stand for and which the SDP had promised the people all through our electioneering campaigns. They are still paramount to me as we collectively chart the way forward for the governorship elections rerun in Osun state.”
Senator Omisore assured his followers and admirers that he will not abandon his campaign promises even as he engaged all stakeholders on the way forward to ensure the progress of Osun state is achieved.