BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

Followers of political events in Osun State were not surprised that Senator Iyiola Omisore won the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries in the state. This is because it will be unfair to describe him as unprepared for the race among other contestants, given that he had long indicated interest to govern the state before other aspirants.

Those, who contested alongside the former deputy governor of the state were:  former senators Isiaka Adeleke , Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and  a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Wole Oke.

The build up to the exercise was characterised with a lot of permutations and intrigues among the various political camps. An example of that was the sudden entrance of Adeleke into the race three weeks before the event.

The former governor’s emergence was believed to be upon the prompting  of  the presidency and some powerful people in  Osun PDP.

*Omisore

His supporters banked on the assumption that his candidature, would  be very easy to sell to the electorate more than Omisore, who some had  labeled as controversial. But what was seen as an attempt to impose Adeleke on the party, was resisted by  Omisore’s  group, who  challenged the party’s national body and the presidency.

Late drafting of Adeleke

The presidency, it was gathered  tacitly denied having hands in the late drafting of Adeleke into the race. Amid such politically  tensed atmosphere,  party faithful went to the polls, where Omisore eventually won.

At the  primaries which was  held  at GMT Hotel, Osogbo , Omisore scored of 1, 128 votes out of  the 1186 votes cast to defeat other aspirants.

Akinlabi and  Oke got 45 and five votes respectively, while 18 votes were voided.

Before the event commenced Adeleke  withdrew, citing alleged irregularities during the party’s ward congresses.

Announcing the results, the Chairman of  Osun PDP Governorship Primaries, Alhaji Adamu Alero, said though 1,380 delegates were expected to participate, only 1, 280 showed up for accreditation.

Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa said whoever emerged  would lead PDP to victory in the gubernatorial election. He urged aspirants to accept whatever might be the outcome in good faith.

An elated Omisore in his acceptance speech said: “Today is an epoch making day in the history of our great party. It is so in the sense that a lot of landmines were laid to introduce divisive tendencies into our party in the run up to our primaries. The aim of the opposition and some disgruntled elements, who made themselves willing tools in the hands of these people stemmed from the fact that they were afraid that come August 9, 2014,the PDP will win the governorship of Osun State.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) started it’s machinations as soon as INEC released it’s guidelines for the 2014 governorship election.” He continued: ‘’In spite of shenanigans by the APC, those who were sent from our National Headquarters in Abuja to superintend  the primaries organised a free, fair and transparent exercise. This for me is an eloquent testimony to the fact that we are truly democratic in words and actions.

“I,therefore, wish to congratulate our dear party and my fellow contestants for  the orderly manner we have comported ourselves before, during and after this primaries despite provocation by the APC. This is an indication that we have survived all divisive tendencies introduced by the APC to sabotage us and make us a laughing stock.”

In addition, he said: ‘’I want to reassure my fellow contestants that this is victory for all. We have all won. All other elective positions are still there for grabs if we all work together. All hands must be on deck to ensure our victory on August 9, 2014 and other subsequent elections. I want to call on the chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega to listen to the voice of reason and take away Ambassador Rufus Toyin Akeju who has proven overtime to have bias for the APC in order to pave way for free, fair and peaceful election on August 9, 2014.
“I urge the police and other security agencies to be on red alert now that a candidate has emerged for the PDP to ward off incessant attack by the APC. The journey to Abere has started today and there is no going back. We are poised to rescue our people from the maladministration of the incumbent government led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and never again shall we allow incompetent people to take us for a ride.”

Factors that aided Omisore: However, the  victory did not come on a platter of gold, as there were  some factors which played prominent roles in his emergence. Prominent among the reasons for the victory, was  Omisore’s ambition to govern the state as far back as 1999 when he and some Afenifere  leaders,  pulled out of the PDP to form the Alliance for Democracy, AD.

Omisore at that  time had a formidable political machinery needed to actualise his ambition,  until th last minute emergence of Chief Bisi Akande, who was drafted  into the  race  by late Chief Bola Ige. While  Omisore was compensated with the post of deputy governor, he later pitched his tent with PDP with the sole aim of actualising his governorship ambition. But this attempt was also unsuccessful at the last minute  following the demise of  Ige.

Chief  Olagunsoye Oyinlola,  who then was not nursing  any gubernatorial ambition, rode on the back Chief S.M Afolabi into the race, while Omisore was compensated with a senatorial seat. Omisore’s closeness to the national secretariat, also played a role in his victory.

Another factor that landed the lawmaker the priced ticket,  was  his control of  the party machinery  in the state. For instance, Omisore is known to have produced the party’s National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo. This feat was also replicated at the state level, where he was instrumental in the making of most key appointments.