The much talked about day is finally upon us as all is set for Saturday (today), February 19, 2022 primary election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun State ahead of the off-season gubernatorial election in Osun in June, this year.
The election has been dominating public discourse in recent weeks, all thanks to the open altercations between the incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and a former governor of the state, Ogbeni Abudulrauf Aregbesola.
The crisis in Osun state chapter of APC has deepened in recent weeks, with two caucuses emerging from the state. The caucus loyal to Oyetola under the chairmanship of Prince Gboyega Famoodu and the caucus loyal to Aregbesola under the chairmanship of Alhaji Rasak Salinsile.
Recall that during the APC state congress which held in the state, two party chairmen emerged following a parallel congress. Meanwhile, the national leaders of the APC have since recognised and declared Famoodun as the authentic Chairman of the party in Osun State.
While the party at the national level had made its decision, the waging war between the two caucuses persisted.
Earlier this week, Aregbesola while addressing his supporters had accused his former principal, a national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of allegedly imposing Oyetola on the people of Osun state.
The former governor while mobilising support for his candidate, former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, urged the people of Osun state to unseat Oyetola through ballot boxes, just like it was in Lagos with the situation of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
He declared that enough is enough for the politics of godfatherism and enthronement by treacherous leaders who equated themselves to the status of a god.
On his part, Oyetola during his campaign for re-election had said his performance in office thus far was enough to ensure his victory. The governor had criticised his predecessor, saying the power belongs to the people, adding that it is only them that can decide his victory or not.
The primary election scheduled for today will be keenly contested between the incumbent governor, Oyetola, Aregbesola’s Adeoti and a former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Representatives, Honourable Yusuf Lasun.
The election would take place in the 332 wards in all the 30 Local Government Areas in the state, under the supervision of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led seven-man committee.
The election is expected to kick-start by 8am, with the accreditation of voters while voting will commence by 12pm.
Would Oyetola defeat his predecessor’s preferred candidate or would he be unseated like Aregbesola had claimed? The New Diplomat will bring live updates from the primary election.
