As the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets set for the Osun State governorship primary today, the gubernatorial aspirants of the party for the September 22 governorship election, will slug it out to determine who flies the flag of the party.
Lateef Dada examines major contenders among the aspirants in the election.
17 aspirants, one ticket Before today’s exercise, the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared 17 aspirants to participate in the primary election of the party in Osun state today.
The approved aspirants are those that were able to pay N2.5million to the state Secretariat and N5.5million to the national body.
Earlier, 32 people had shown interest to contest the election after the payment of the initial N500,000 to the state secretariat while many of them could not afford the other fee, charged by the party.
However, the National Working Committee of the party had in conformity with the yearnings of the majority of party members adopted the direct primary election to choose the candidate who will carry the flag of the party during the governorship election in the state slated for September 22,2018.
The aspirants include, Benedict O Alabi, Babatunde Adedotun Taiwo, Lasun Yusuff Sulaiman (Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives) Oyetola Isiaq Gboyega (Chief of Staff to the governor), Adeyinka Ajayi, Adeoti Moshood, (SSG) Peter Babalola, Saka Layonu, and Oyemomi Ezekiel.
Others are: Oriolowo Adelere, Amere Gafar, Najeem Salam (Speaker, Osun House of Assembly), Mumini Rafiu A.O., Alamu Bisi, Dayo Oyebamiji, Kunle Adegoke, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.
Why direct primary system? The National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, had disclosed at a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held at the National secretariat of the party in Abuja that the party has adopted direct primary system for the election.
Oshiomole explained that the direct primary system adopted by the party was after due consultations with key stakeholders nationwide on what form should be chosen for the exercise.
He said the direct primary model was the most democratic way to ensure that a truly popular candidate emerges as the flag bearer of the party.
Aregbesola wields influence for Oyetola Among the aspirants, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr.
Gboyega Oyetola, has been on top because he seems to enjoy the support of the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The former Lagos governor commands considerable influence and his choice candidate would hardly be rejected by the party.
Though Oyetola is not popular in the state if personality and closeness to the people should be measured, the fact that Tinubu has thrown his enormous weight behind makes him the candidate to beat.
Even, those close to the government hinted that his candidacy was not supported by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The governor it seems just to please the National Leader yield grounds and publicly backs his Chief of Staff even though his heart is presumably with someone else.
Obstacles Oyetola does not court the friendship of many people allegedly because of his being tight fisted.
Besides, many see him as very arrogant and too proud who hardly accommodates people.
People from his constituency say his stingy despite being far richer than even Aregbesola.
Another factor that may work against the choice of Oyetola is the zoning saga.
He hails from the Central Senatorial District of the state where Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola come from.
By virtue of the zone having produced two governors, many say in the interest of unity and accommodation of all zones, the other zone that has not produced a governor yet should be allowed to take its turn.
But, his candidacy was said to have been perfected by Tinubu, whom people described as his cousin.
Adeoti on every lip However, if the direct primary system, as explained by stakeholders in the political system, is allowed to function the way it should whereby all members of the APC vote for candidates of their choice, the Secretary to the Government of Osun state, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, may emerge candidate of the party.
On a level playing ground, the SSG, having climbed the political ladder right from the grassroots to the state and national levels, Adeoti seems to have some edge over other aspirants, and also enjoys the sympathy of delegates.
For one, he suffered the pangs of being detained in two federal prisons located in the state on trumped-up charges of a phantom bomb blast and arson, during the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
This acts, which many believed were mere allegations, popularized him and the fact that he stood his ground preferring to suffer unmerited shame made him the man of the people.
Adeoti was elected councilor in Iwo Local Government Council in 1988, where he served till 1989.
He was appointed and served as Supervisor for Education from 1991 to 1993 before he was deployed to the Finance and Economic Department as Supervisor, where he served till he became the Secretary to the Local Government Council (SLG), a position he held till the Third Republic was truncated by the General Sanni Abacha-led military junta.
Another factor that favour Adeoti is the agitation of the West Senatorial zone to produce the next governor.
He was the Chairman of the party during the ear of Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the Action Congress (AC).
The SSG, according to political gladiators, is having large number of delegates in the state and may likely emerge the neutral choice of the delegates provided there is some level playing ground.
The Speaker in the mix The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, is also a major contender who has all it takes to win the election on a level playing ground.
His personality as a local politician who has been with his people from the beginning of his political career till the present stage has spoken for him.
His rally has been consistently based on issues which affect the state.
Those very close to him have described him as a liberal politician who is approachable and affable.
Apart from the fact that the Speaker is popular and loyal to the party, the zoning arrangement also favours him.
He belongs to the zone that is yet to produce the governor of the state since its creation.
Little wonder he has led the campaign to ensure justice is done.
Should be finally accepted as it’s expected, the federal character agitation may well swing votes to him, again provided the election is conducted freely.
House of Reps Deputy Speaker, a factor The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yussuff, is another factor among the aspirants.
Though, the zoning does not favour him because he hails from the Central Senatorial District of the state.
However, money to prosecute the campaign, indulge the political game and wield reasonable influence especially at the grassroots won’t be a problem.
Besides, his influence, deep pocket and some support from the centre, Yusuff has the leadership touch to attract the people.
K-Rad on everyone’s path Also, the radical lawyer as being addressed by his colleagues, Mr.
Kunle Rasheed Adegoke K-Rad, is also pulling crowd and may shine as well in the primary, if the exercise is conducted devoid of the hands of Esau but the voice of Jacob.
Though, he is from Osogbo, in the Central Senatorial District, his achievements as a lawyer and loyal supporter of the party, would speak for him in the primary election.
