The governorship contest, which was declared inconclusive by the Returning Officer and who is also the current Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Professor Joseph Adeola Fuwape, last Saturday, 22 of September, 2018 continued on Thursday, with a run-off election holding in seven polling units of four local governments, namely Osogbo, Ife South, Ife North and Orolu local government councils.
Though, there were complaints from some voters in Osogbo and some units in Ife South and Orolu local governments over seeming militarisation of the election process due to heavy security presence, the election activities went through peacefully as large number of voters filed out to perform their civic responsibilities.
At Ward 5, Unit 17, around Alekuwodo area the head of the Police detachment, Mr A. O Bello ordered the unidentified man to vacate the vicinity when he attempted to be accredited with Permanent Voter Card (PVC), which was registered in another unit, outside the electoral jurisdiction.
However, announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Professor Fuwape declared that having polled the majority of votes cast, the candidate of the APC, Mr Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola is hereby returned as the governor-elect of Osun State 2018 governorship election.
Last Sunday Result APC 254, 345 while PDP scored 254, 698
Osogbo
Unit 17, Ataoja Ward 5, Osogbo local government, reg voters 884, accredited voters, 473.
APC—–299.
PDP—–165
SDP—–01
Orolu. 947 registered voters, Accredited voters 419
APC—-280
PDP—-122
SDP—-01
Ife South Registered Voter, 1314 Accredited voters, 515
APC—–455
PDP—–36
SDP—02
Ife North Regtstered 353 Acrrdduted 133
APC—126
PDP—-02
SDP
Ife South
Earlier, the agent of the PDP, Mr Dele Adeleke observed that before the Returning Officer could transfer the figures of votes scored by the contestants to the results of the run-off poll, it was incumbent on the INEC authorities to correct some perceived discrepancies in the votes of some units in Osogbo local government.
According to him, “the same result you should have got a kind of double check because of the complaints we raised last Sunday, particularly in Osogbo. I think it would not cost us extra time or tax payers’ money to allow the returning officer for Osogbo to do the needful. We have met with INEC officials over the figures.”
Responding the Returning Officer, Professor Fuwape, stated that “you made similar observation on Sunday morning. Since you have made some observations, the REC would listen to you and it would be documented. If there is something that can be done, it would be done.”
But, the party agent of Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Mr Daud Alarape countered the PDP agent, pointing out that he raised similar issue last Sunday and should not slow down the process by proceeding to the next level, with a view to ensure quick completion of the announcement process.
However, Adeleke contended that the Ife South could not have been adjudged as free, fair and credble, stressing that one person had been allegedly killed, while four members of the PDP were viciously attacked, just as he claimed that a pregnant woman lost her pregnancy to violent attacks by hoodlums.
Speaking during brief chat with journalists, he described the whole election as a sham that cannot stand the test of justice, fairness and credibility, disclosing that the party’s candidate, leadership of the PDP and relevant stakeholders would seek redress at the election petition tribunal.
