Dancing Senator Adeleke wins Osun PDP Governorship Primary

On Tuesday, Nigerian Senator Ademola Adeleke was declared winner of the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, TopNaija reports.

The PDP primary, held at the 10,000 capacity Oshogbo stadium, was also contested by Dotun Babayemi. The primary election held amid allegation of bias and litigations which could have stalled the process. The governorship election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

Senator Adeleke, popularly called the ‘dancing senator’, was also the PDP’s flagbearer in 2018 when he lost to incumbent Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress. Chief Electoral Officer of the Osun PDP primary, Abiye Sekibo, told Channels Television that Senator Adeleke won over 1,800 votes with the rest of the five candidates on the ballot sharing just five votes.

He described the election as “smooth and calm.”

However, there were reports of a parallel primary being held in the state. Mr Sekibo said he was not aware of such a primary.

“I am not aware that there was a parallel primary,” he said. “We have a letter signed by our party’s National Working Committee constituting our election committee. And we are complete.”

Also, another primary held at WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, the returning officer, Adelani Ajanaku, said accredited voters were 1907, while 27 votes were voided. Ajanaku further said Omirin got 16 votes, Ogunbiyi, 23, Fatai Akinbabe, 28, Dele Adeleke,  32, while Babayemi, got 1781 to emerge the winner.

The two factions had initially disagreed on the list of delegates that would be used for the exercise.

Speaking after the exercise, Babayemi, described his emergence as a challenge to turn around the state for the betterment of its people.

Dignitaries present at the primary where Babayemi emerged winner include; ex Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, member of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, Senator Olu Alabi, ex PDP National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, among others.

At the primary where Adeleke was elected the PDP flagbearer, were dignitaries that include; ex PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, Dr. Lere Oyewumi, Prince Diran Odeyemi, members of House of Representatives, Mr. Wole Oke and Bamidele Salam, as well as, ex Osun PDP chairman, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, amongst others.