The political equation in Osun State appears to be shifting by the hour. First, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, caused a statement to be issued that his supporters were free to vote as they wished.
Shortly after, he told journalists that he has agreed to form an alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Osun rerun election.
APC’s Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola will slug it out with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke for less than 2500 votes out of 3498 registered voters in rerun elections on Thursday. Senator Adeleke won the first round with a 353 margin.
In Ile Ife, Omisore premised his decision on APC accepting his conditions. The conditions include a pledge to ensure motivation of workers in the state, payment of salary arrears in the first three months in office, equity in infrastructure provision across the state, the adoption of a local content policy for all projects in the state.
Sources listed some of the other conditions put on the table as payment of N480 Million cash, an automatic return ticket to Senate, two House Of Reps ticket, two commissioners in an APC government in Oyo State, dropping of all EFCC cases, and return of an International passport.
However, according to Channels Television, Omisore told journalists in Ile Ife on Wednesday that he decided to support the APC after the party accepted the conditions he gave earlier for his support.
He also wants traditional rulers to be made more relevant.
According to the SDP candidate, only the APC has accepted his conditions and that is why the SDP is going to form an alliance with the APC.
But earlier in the day, Omisore’s spokesman, Jide Fakorede, issued a statement in which he stated that his principal rejected working with the PDP or APC
The statement reads: ““Osun state has always been a stellar example of democracy where the people have consistently and freely expressed their franchise to determine who governs them. This should remain so. Osun people have shown that it is not business as usual. It is a positive deviation from what was hitherto the norm.
“I am telling my people that they should go with any political party that believes in what we in the SDP stand for; good governance, social justice and accountability. I have already detailed how we planned to restore Osun to the path of good governance through the five thematic pillars in the manifesto I shared during the electioneering. I will not negotiate for personal gains and abandon my people.
“My alliance is with the people of Osun state irrespective of the political party they belong. I want my people to be treated with the dignity they deserve. I desire that they have a government that will be accountable to them. I want them to experience the good governance the founding fathers of this state envisaged.
“I have told the parties that have solicited for my support to approach the electorates and ask for their mandate as I have assured them that I will not coerce them for political or social power. It is because I have kept my promise that has made me enjoyed their unalloyed support all these years.
“As highlighted in SDP manifestos, the five thematic pillars the SDP had hoped to implement to improve governance, eliminate financial reckless and reposition the economy of Osun state include: Economic management and accountability; Professionalism and performance; Equity in access to service; Local content and innovation and Security.
“To this end, he has said to all Nigerians that this is the centre point of his campaign and “democracy we both fought for and believe in. It is the right and democratic freedom of people to choose by their own free will. Their votes should not be coerced by money, vote buying, intimidation in form of militarisation, political and social power.
“Their voices of demand for good governance, accountability and human dignity should continue to be heard as well as salaries paid. All these are what I stand for and which the SDP had promised the people all through our electioneering campaigns. They are still paramount to me as we collectively chart the way forward for the governorship elections rerun in Osun state.”