A group, Osun Progressive Concerned Youths Group has cautioned the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for the September 22 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and foremost billionaire, Alhaji Aliko Dangote over their plans to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election.
In a statement, the group said the plans by the two individuals including Femi Otedola to influence the voting conscience of the electorate through monetary inducement thereby disturbing due electoral process.
The group berated the statements by the Senator in a viral video on social media claiming he has the support of many money bags to doll out millions of Naira for his election without a clear vision or mission statement on his plans to develop Osun State.
The Osun Progressive Concerned Youths Group also called on the people of the state not to allow monetary gifts shape their opinion but look for a candidate with experience, creditable academic records and reputation for top-notch administrative acumen.
The statement said “in the said video, he stated expressly that the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko dangote, who happens to be his family friend from childhood according to him, has told him not to worry about the coming elections, that he’s bringing millions to support him.”
“However, it should be noted that Money without experience of a subject matter is immaterial, money without necessary wherewithal that includes private and public experience in administration, feasible manifesto, traceable academic records to mention, but few. in fact, at this juncture, we won’t be wrong to say — Some people are poor, all they have is money.”
“It’s laughable to see a gubernatorial aspirant in the state of osun – Sen. Demola Adeleke, to flaunt his wealth all in the name of political victory, even mentioning names of important and respected dignitaries in the society, with these personalities promising him huge sum of money, the question however is, Is Alhaji Aliko Dangote supporting this man with a questionable character, untraceable academic records and intimidating the whole state in it’s capacity because of money?”
The OPCY warned the people of Osun to be vigilant as to the plans by billionaires to swoop their votes with money if true is disappointing and a big threat to democracy in the state.
“Furthermore, if the claim of Sen. Demola Adekeke by mentioning the names of such individuals is found to be baseless and false, such statement is considered under the law as defamatory in form of Slander, which is punishable under the law, because anything that will dent the image of a person that will affect him in his profession, calling, market or his calling is deemed defamatory as decided in the case of _Atoyebi v Odudu_”
“The state of Osun needs a learned personality, a man of intellectualism over mediocrity, a man of unquestionable and unimpeachable character to be in charge of the affairs of the state, as against a cheat and an uncertified literate that believes politics is mainly about money. Indeed money is something, but never everything.”
