By Today, the people of Osun State will head to the polls, and decide whether the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola will secure their mandate for a second term or not.
Though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that 15 political parties are participating in the hotly-contested election, BlackBox Nigeria brings to you the four leading contenders for the Osun governorship seat.
Gboyega Oyetola
For incumbent governor and APC candidate, Oyetola, another four years in the Oke-Fia Government House is perhaps his greatest desire and today’s election will either make or mar that dream.
On November 27, 2018, the Iragbiji-born politician was sworn in as the governor of Osun State. He had served as Chief of Staff under his predecessor and current Minister od Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, between 2011 and 2018. The duo, however, would later fall out due to irreconcilable political differences, leading to a crisis in the Osun APC and the emergence of two leadership factions.
This seeming division, according to observers, might hurt the chances of Oyetola’s second term bid. However, supporters of the governor are confident that his performance and the power of incumbency will help him actualize re-election.
Senator Ademola Adeleke
The ‘Dancing Senator’, as he is fondly called, is no newcomer in the political space of Osun. He was the PDP candidate in the 2018 governorship election in the state, but lost to Oyetola. Between 2017 and 2019, Adeleke represented Osun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, completing the tenure of his elder brother, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
This is Ademola’s second rodeo at the Osun governorship seat, and he would be leveraging on the popularity and acceptance of his family, the strong political structure of his hometown, Ede, and the financial muscle of his billionaire brother, Dr Deji Adeleke, father of popular singer, Davido. With the strength of the PDP in Osun, Adeleke will definitely give his old rival, Oyetola a run for his money.
Lasun Yusuff
The seasoned politician and brilliant legislator is no doubt a candidate to beat, having served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Yusuff is running under the platform of the relatively weak Labour Party (LP), after dumping the APC following the outcome of the controversial primary election won by Oyetola.
His chances are, however, limited by the strength and acceptance of his party, which has no strong structure or grassroots penetration. But Yusuff had, on a number of occasions, argued that he has what it takes to beat the powerful duo — APC and PDP.
Akindele Ogunbiyi
Ogunbiyi, the candidate of the Accord Party, is widely presumed to be another strong contender for the Osun governorship seat. He is said to enjoy goodwill and acceptance from the people of Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
His failure to secure the PDP ticket in 2018 forced him out of the party. The Ileogbo-born businessman-turned-politician is the Chairman of leading insurance firm, Mutual Assurance Benefits and said to be well-connected within the political arena and beyond. Irrespective of his weak chances, Ogunbiyi is reportedly confident of victory at the polls.
