A man identified as Sunday Akingbala, who is said to be a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporter and member of Amotekun, has reportedly shot himself while celebrating the victory of Ademola Adeleke, governorship candidate of the party. The shooting is said to have occured in Ile Ife on Sunday. The man was taken to the Seventh Day Adventist Church hospital in Lagere, Ile Ife, but later referred to Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital. Adeleke, Osun state governor-elect, polled 403,371 votes to defeat Gboyega Oyetola, governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 375,027 votes. The PDP candidates won 17 out of 30 LGAs in the state while the governor won 13. Both men went head-to-head at the governorship election in 2018. Adeleke was in an early lead when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the exercise “inconclusive”. Oyetola was declared winner after rerun was conducted in some polling units.

  President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday congratulated the governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, following the victory of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just-concluded election. Adeleke had stunned the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to win the election, reversing the outcome of a matchup between both men in 2018. He secured 403,371 votes, 28,344 more than Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 375,027 votes, to emerge victorious. Hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the outcome of the poll, the President stated that the will of the electorate must always prevail. “With the election over, the President expresses the conviction that the people of Osun have expressed their will through the ballot, and the will of the people must always matter and be respected in a democracy,” President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. “President Buhari notes that the successful conduct of the election is further testimony to the maturity and commitment of all stakeholders – the electoral body, security agencies, political parties, the media, civil society, and the electorate – to further strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in the country. “The President reassures the nation that the commitment of this administration towards having credible elections remains unshaken.” In the last governorship election held in 2018, it was a tough contest as the APC flagbearer had to win a supplementary election before he was returned elected. Following the initial poll held that year, Oyetola trailed Adeleke who had led by 353 votes going into the supplementary election which held in seven polling units. The votes garnered in the supplementary poll would later help the incumbent governor to overturn the deficit and put him ahead of his PDP counterpart, leading to his emergence as the winner of the keenly contested election. According to the final votes announced by the electoral umpire that year, Oyetola polled 255,505 votes while Adeleke scored 255,023 votes – a difference of 482 votes.

  The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the just concluded Osun State election, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reacted to his victory at the polls. Adeleke defeated the incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday. The former Ede Senator polled 403,371 votes claiming victory in 17 local government areas, while the governor garnered 375,027 votes with victory in the remaining 13 local government areas. osun election The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for Osun State election, Prof Okuwatoyin Ogundipe declared Adeleke winner. Reacting to his victory on Sunday, Adeleke who is known for his ‘Imọlẹ’ slogan said he has brought light to Osun State. He tweeted this on his verified Twitter handle @AAdeleke_01. Adeleke said: “I have brought light to Osun State.”

  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “take responsibility and end impunity for vote-buying and undue influence in Nigeria’s elections by promptly ensuring the arrest and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of these criminal acts in the Osun State governorship election.” There are reports of a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units particularly by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Osun Governorship election conducted on Saturday 16 July 2022. Vote trading was witnessed in several polling units. In the letter dated 16 July 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “INEC seems to have furthered a general policy of impunity for vote buying and undue influence in elections by refusing to prosecute suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.” SERAP said, “INEC has quite an impressive portfolio of powers of its own to curb and punish vote buying, and need not wait for other agencies before meting out its own effective means of prevention and prosecution.” According to SERAP, “Nigerians rely on INEC to curb vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence in elections but nothing will ever change if INEC won’t pursue charges against suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.” SERAP also said, “The acts of vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence are clearly contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and international standards.” The letter, read in part: “If INEC fails to act, vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence would remain a permanent feature of Nigeria’s elections because corrupt politicians and their sponsors would continue to engage in these criminal acts with impunity.” “This would encourage others to follow suit, and the long-term consequences of such a culture of impunity for the 2023 general elections cannot be underestimated.” “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.” “Impunity for vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence will continue unless INEC can show leadership by satisfactorily carrying out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to wipe out the stain of electoral bribery which now attaches to Nigeria’s elections.” “If INEC is to live up to its aspiration as an independent body that is committed to free, fair and transparent elections in the country, now is the time to end impunity for vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence in elections.” “By immediately taking responsibility to ensure the arrest and prosecution of vote buyers and their sponsors, INEC would be sending a powerful signal to politicians across the country that it will not tolerate the practice of vote buying, electoral bribery and widespread serial criminality in the country’s elections.” “The consistent practice and widespread serial reports of vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence in elections suggest the failure of INEC to wake up to its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to prosecute suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.” “SERAP also urges you to ensure the prompt, thorough and effective investigation of the roles played by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the reports of vote buying, electoral bribery and undue influence, identify those involved, and ensure that they are brought to justice.” “Vote buying, electoral bribery, and undue influence undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.” “The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’” “Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.” Under section 2(b), the commission “shall have power to promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.’” “Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote. These human rights treaties also require states parties including Nigeria to promote the establishment of the necessary conditions to foster citizen participation.” “When political candidates and their sponsors decide to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidates will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.” “Vote buying encourages poor governance and weakens citizens’ capacity to hold their ‘elected officials’ accountable for their actions.” “SERAP is concerned that the failure of INEC to rein in vote buying, electoral bribery and intimidation is illustrated by the fact that the body has not seriously addressed similar incidents in previous elections.” “Any failure to prosecute perpetrators of vote-buying, electoral bribery and undue influence during the Osun state governorship election would be entirely inconsistent with constitutional and international standards, and the Electoral Act.” “According to our information, there are reports of a brazen pattern of vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units during the Osun Governorship election conducted on Saturday 16 July 2022.” “The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said codes and coupons were used to extract commitments from voters in the election, as opposed to the blatant money exchanging hands in the Ekiti election of last month. Vote trading was witnessed in several polling units.” “Voting cubicles in many of the polling units were not positioned to ensure secrecy of the ballots, making it possible for voters to flash their votes to other people.

  The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Iyiochia Ayu, has said the party has now set its sights on the Presidential Villa come 2023, after its victory in the Osun State Governorship elections. Ayu said this in a statement he signed and issued on Sunday. He said the declaration! that the declaration of the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, as the duly elected Governor , by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was a referendum of the people on the All Progressives Congress-led administration at all levels. He said, “This election was a referendum on the disastrous APC stewardship, and proves conclusively that Nigerians want PDP back. And, indeed, PDP is coming! “I also salute the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). as well as security agencies for toeing the path of neutrality and ensuring that the votes counted. “The task before us now is to transit from Opposition to Governance . This we shall do. With Osun done, , Next VIlla!” The PDP National Chairman recalled that only a few days ago, the defeated Governor, HE Adegboyega Oyetola , the APC, did everything to frustrate the PDP and it’s candidate. This measure included denying the PDP the use of any public facility in the state capital for its mega-rally. “We had to use the party’s state secretariat. As it were, we couldn’t have access to the stadium, but we had access to the people’s hearts, loyalty and votes. “The convincing win of 403, 371 against Gov. Oyetola’s 375, 027 is ample proof of that.” Ayu added. Ayu also said, “Twelve years ago, specifically on 26th November, 2010, the PDP lost Osun state – not through the ballot-box – but via a judicial coup (ruling). “That coup (ruling) terminated the action-packed tenure of HE Olagunsoye Oyinlola. And since then, Osun has been frozen in executive misrule and underdevelopment. “Four years ago, the PDP won the governorship, but our Candidate, Sen. Adeleke, was robbed of victory in broad daylight. We went back to the drawing-board, and today, we have reclaimed our victory. “Today is, therefore, not just a day of double restoration – it’s a day of redemption too. It restores PDP to power and redeems the Osun people from the scourge of mediocrity, empty promises and excuses. “I congratulate the two-time winner, the tenacious Adeleke. I congratulate the good people and residents of Osun state. I hail every party stakeholder who stood with us in action,prayers and hope. “You have kept faith with the PDP. You refused to be intimidated. You refused to be bought over with foodstuffs and 30 silver coins. You said no to thuggery and vote-fraud. You have done well.“ Ayu equally singled out the PDP National Campaign Council for the Osun State Governorship Election, headed by HE Gov. Duoye Diri, for what he described as a superlative performance. He also thanked the PDP’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for tireless work. PDP, he said, is proud of all of them. While expressing gratitude to each of them, he said “You have helped to return PDP to power after 12 years. You have returned hope to Osun state. “But beyond this, you have renewed the quit notice on the reigning APC Federal government. PDP first issued the quit notice in December last year when this present leadership assumed office. “ Ayu appealed to all Nigerians especially members of the PDP to join the party’s moving train as it heads towards reclaiming Aso Villa. He declared, “With PDP,” Nigeria shall rise again. Indeed, she is already rising. Osun people have spoken. The rest of Nigeria shall speak with a resounding Voice on 25th February 2023.“

  Rave-of-the-moment artiste, Portable, has congratulated the winner of the recently conducted Osun governorship election, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, over his victory at the polls despite campaigning for the opposition party’s candidate, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress. The singer took to his Instagram page to share a picture of the governor-elect with a song he made for Adeleke playing in the background. after Oyetola’s defeat Some days ago, the singer was in the state to campaign for Oyetola as well as the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In several videos, Portable revealed that he was paid by the APC to campaign for their candidates. Moreso, after his visit to the incumbent governor, Oyetola, the singer was seen flaunting some wads of cash from a paper bag with the Osun State insignia. Reacting to the singer’s post, a Lagos-based On-Air Personality and rapper known as N6, asked via Portable’s comment section if he has switched camp so soon. He wrote, “You don cross carpet already.” (sic). Another Instagram user with the account, @fauze_eey wrote, “What is this now?? Please we don’t want you near us abeg go back to your club.”(sic) Also, a user of the microblogging platform, @oluadebamowo urged the singer to tread carefully. “This thing you’re doing is dangerous o! Don’t get yourself in trouble,” he commented.