Ademola Adeleke
Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party 2018 governorship election in Osun State, has rejected today’s re-run election as a “charade” which must not be allowed to stand.
Mr Adeleke’s position, disclosed in a statement by his campaign office Thursday afternoon, was hinged on the widespread reports of voter intermidation and other forms of violence which marred the re-run election, especially in Orolu local government area.
“The whole world is witnessing a charade in the name of election, a deliberate effort at imposition of a discredited leadership on the suffering people of Osun State through undisguised brutal force,” the campaign said. “Applying all standards, today’s supplementary poll is a non-event as all norms of electoral process are violated.”
There have been reports that the re-run election has neither been free nor fair since polls opened across the four local government areas identified for the exercise after the main process on Saturday was declare inconclusive.
Amongst those who have reported violence from security agencies and suspected APC thugs are journalists, observers and voters believed loyal to the PDP.
Mr Adeleke came first in the election on Saturday, but his thin margin of just 353 votes over his closest rival Gboyega Oyetola compelled INEC to declare the election inconclusive and ordered a re-run between them. About 2,637 out of 3,498 registered voters collected their voters’ cards and would be eligible to participate in today’s exercise across four LGAs.
Voting is scheduled to close at 2:00 p.m. across the LGAs, which include Orolu, Osogbo, Ife-North and Ife South.
Mr Adeleke said the exercise was unfair to him, calling on pro-democracy proponents and international community to intervene and ensure that the mandate of Osun residents was not stolen.
The police have denied all allegations of voter intimidation, and also said journalists and observers who raised alarm about the violence were not presenting the ‘true situation’ to the world.
Read the full statement from Mr Adelele’s office as sent to PREMIUM TIMES shortly before 2:00 p.m. below:
"We Reject this Violent Sham Operation Called Supplementary Poll-Adeleke Campaign Organisation
We report to the whole world the brazen theft and daylight swindling of Osun people who were criminally denied their rights to vote and be voted for by an anti-people conspiracy among INEC, security agencies and the ruling All Progressives Congress. An unprecedented travesty of justice and shattering of democratic values are ongoing in Osun State.
The whole world is witnessing a charade in the name of election, a deliberate effort at imposition of a discredited leadership on the suffering people of Osun State through undisguised brutal force. Applying all standards, today’s supplementary poll is a non-event as all norms of electoral process are violated.
Voters are deliberately refused access to polling points at gun points. Those allowed to voting centers are forced to vote for APC. PDP party agents are arrested ,beaten up and shut out of polling centres. PDP agents are barred from many units.Roads are blocked to stop voters and observers.
Journalists and election monitors are blocked from accessing many voting areas.Those who attempted gaining access are attacked by hooded thugs. PDP leaders are hounded and arrested.It was a brutal unleashing of force against unarmed election stakeholders.
We report to the whole world that in Osun today no supplementary poll took place. It was all violence and and undisguised breaching of all electoral rule. The APC is pushing violently to steal people’s mandate freely given by the oppressed people of Osun State.
We condemn this charade;We reject this violent operations called election. We dissociate ourselves from this brazen shame and sham election.
We stand on the mandate freely given to Ademola Adeleke. We will uphold the people’s mandate through all legal means. We will not succumb to fascist agents hell bent on plunging the state into chaos.
We call on the international community to monitor happenings in Osun State. A major political tragedy is underway with huge consequence for the nation."
Signed:
Ademola Adeleke Campaign Organisation.
