By Sodiq Yusuf
A close ally and former spokesperson of the former deputy governor of Osun State, Sen Iyiola Omisore, Prince Diran Odeyemi has said that his former principal is not a credible candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the 2018 governorship elections in the state.
Prince Odeyemi advised Omisore that rather than he contest, he should leave the void and allow for a fresh candidate that will be marketable.
Odeyemi who stated this on a radio programme monitored by our correspondent in Osogbo on Thursday is of the opinion that the candidature of Omisore will not make any difference in PDP’s drive to reclaim the number one seat in Osun.
He said “I am a close ally to Omisore. My candid advice from me to him is for him to forget about governorship. He is to controversial. Not because of the Bola Ige or EFCC issue, but the reality of it is that he is not acceptable.”
“In 2014 when we had the power, federal backing, money and everything to win, he lost to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Otunba Iyiola Omisore’s name is too controversial in Osun politics. His name cannot win any election for the PDP.”
“I think what he should just do is to quit the race and become an elder statesman. He should come out and bring forth a candidate that will be sellable. If he supports someone from the Osun West Senatorial District, the people of the state will vote PDP.”
The PDP Chieftain contended that “PDP will make a great mistake if we base our strategies on Osun West Senatorial District By-Election. It was Senator Ademola Adeleke’s personality that won the election. Omisore should just sit down and use his influence to provide a credible candidate for the PDP.”
Odeyemi also posited that an aspirant for the guber election from the PDP, Kayode Oduoye is a “Kindergarten Aspirant.”