His popularity seems to have soared as a result of his dancing skills and it seems to be telling much in his campaign especially following his endorsement by the multiple award winning musician brother, Davido. His campaign, which has featured the musician all through has been an icing. It has witnessed a crowd that is unprecedented in the history of PDP campaigns and if crowds are all there is then Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke might just be dancing his way to Government in Abere, Osun State, come Saturday
Emmanuel Ukudolo l Tuesday, September 18, 2018
LAGOS, Nigeria – In less than four days, the people of Osun State will head to the poll to elect their governor. They will have to make their choice from a plethora of candidates vying for the position. By the record of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), 48 candidates are putting themselves forward the election.
Among the 48 candidates are three major contenders – Senator Iyiola Omisore who is running under the platform of Social Democratic Party(SDP), Mr. Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, flying the ticket of the All Progressive Congress(APC), and Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, who is running under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Omisore holds two engineering degrees and a postgraduate certificate from Brunel University Uxbridge, as well as a PhD in Infrastructure Finance from the International School of Management, Paris, France.
He is a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, England and Wales. He has undergone several courses in different high profile institutions including Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA; ABS Academy, Athens, Greece; University of Carolina; West London College; Harvard University and the Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklungg GmbH, Germany.
Senator Nurudeen Adeleke of the PDP attended Muslim Grammar School Ede for his O’level and later obtained a Diploma in Criminology from Jacksonville State University, USA. However, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola of APC holds a B.Sc in Insurance from the University of Lagos and and an MBA in Finance. Oyetola is Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s former chief of staff alleged to be a cousin of the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
From the three candidates, Omisore appears to be the most qualified in terms of academic achievement. The former senator who just turned 61 on Sunday and will be looking to win the election on Saturday as his birthday present. He is also popular having contested the 2015 general election under the PDP. He is now running under the SDP. His chances are very rare based on the popularity of his party in the state in addition to his linkage with the assassination of former Minister of power, Chief Bola Ige. He could emerge third in the race, narrowing the race to Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola and Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola is 64 years old and has been in power being a former chief of staff. But in terms of popularity, he is nowhere. But he has the backing of the Federal Government, since his party is in power at the centre and in the state which could influence his election on Saturday. But factors on the ground are not in his favour.
Topping the list is the issue of 34 months salary arrears of 50% for officers on GL.08 and above and inability to remit 34 months contributory pension arrears to relevant organisations. Although there are reports of of governor Rauf Aregbesola making moves to clear the salary arrears, it appears the harm has already been done and it would require special grace for civil servants in the state to pitch their tent for the APC. Besides, the murder of Senator Isiaka Adeleke will be another issue that will work against the success of APC on Saturday.
Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke of the PDP is 58 and appears to be the youngest of the three major contenders. Adeleke has created a niche for himself as a dancing senator even without sponsoring a single legislation on the floor of the senate. He rode to prominence based on sympathy votes, following the death of his senior brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
Although the issues appears to have been resolved on the surface, sympathy for his brother could also be an issue in this election on saturday. Besides, he is charismatic and has so wide an appeal among the easily swayed population of voters.
His popularity seems to have soared as a result of his dancing skills and it seems to be telling much in his campaign especially following his endorsement by the multiple award winning musician brother, Davido. His campaign, which has featured the musician all through has been an icing. It has witnessed a crowd that is unprecedented in the history of PDP campaigns and if crowds are all there is then Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke might just be dancing his way to Government in Abere, Osun State, come Saturday.
But the issue surrounding his certificate and inability to sell his manifesto to the people of Osun during debate are factors that could work against his success come Saturday.
