Soji Ajibola
The crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State is yet to subside as as two candidates, Sen. Ademola Adeleke and Prince Dotun Babayemi are laying claim to the party ticket, having been elected in separate primary elections in Osogbo, the state capital.
While one primary election took place at the Osogbo City Stadium, aggrieved members held a parallel Governorship election at WOCDIF Event Centre.
The exercise at the stadium was supervised by a committee from the national secretariat of the party led by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Mr Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, while the one at the WOCDIF event centre was not supervised by the committee.
Six aspirants, including Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Mr Dele Adeleke, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, and Mr Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya were in the race for the PDP ticket.
The Mohammed Adoke-led screening committee from the PDP National Secretariat cleared all of them for the contest.
However, four aspirants, Ogunbiyi, Dele, Omirin and Akinbade opted out.
The members of the party at the stadium are supporters of Adeleke, while those supporting Babayemi were at the parallel primary.
The former Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Deputy Governor, Erelu Olusola Obada, PDP leaders, Chiefs Shuaib Oyedokun, Olu Alabi, Tajudeen Oladipo were among top PDP members at the parallel primary election while other party leaders including Prof. Wale Oladipo, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa and Prince Diran Odeyemi were at the primary election holding at the City Stadium.
At the end of the parallel primary election at WOCDIF event centre, Babayemi was declared winner by the returning officer, Mr. Adelani Ajanaku, and the flag of the party was handed over to him.
Sen. Adeleke was declared the winner of the primary election held at the City Stadium which was supervised by officials of the party from PDP national secretariat.