Osun 2018: APC, PDP, Others In Dilemma?

By Shina Abubakar

With barely four months to the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2018 governorship election in the state of Osun, political activities among parties in the state is still at its lowest ebb contrary to the expectation of the general public.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had attempted to lift ban on political activities in the party about two weeks ago thereby creating excitement among members of the party and supporters of potential aspirants, but the excited public were disappointed as the party is yet to lift the ban, making it about the second time to be unsuccessful in its attempt to make the political space lively.

Similarly, the ostensible internal crisis rocking the main opposition party has become an hydra-headed nemesis which is sapping party gladiators of their energy and attention away from the preparation for the guber poll and with no hope of going away any moment soon.

The party has not been able to reach compromise regarding the way to go on the conclusion of its congress as it has failed to bring warring factions to the round table thereby failing to meet the expectations of the people, who rely on them to provide alternatives.

It was gathered that one of the opposition gladiators, Senator Iyiola Omisore holds the party by the jugular because of his political ambition against the resolve of the entire party machinery in the state because he has the ears of the party’s national secretariat.

The popular parlance among members of the PDP in recent times has been “It is Osun PDP vs Omisore”, which seems to be a reflection of the position of the majority of the party members, particularly in the Osun central and west senatorial district with a section of the Ijesa Federal Constituency in support, while Ife Federal Constituency appeared to be solidly behind the former senator.

This stems from a public reaction of a member of House of Representative from Ife, Dr Albert Adeogun that Ife zone is yet to produce a governor since the birth of the state over two decades ago.

However, the ruling APC seems to be the most troubled as party hierarchy is yet to have a common ground over the time it would lift ban on political activities, a position that is not suitable to some prospective aspirants and their supporters.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the decision not to lift the ban was not unconnected with the party’s inability to finalise over which district to zone its governorship ticket, as many members of the party favour zoning the ticket to the West Senatorial district.

Information at the medium’s disposal revealed that the voice of the party’s hierarchy is not united on the matter as different chieftains of the party had different stances about it. A former Governor of the State and a chieftain of the APC, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola had at a public function disclosed that it is the turn of the West senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state.

Checks further revealed that the APC is battling with convincing majority of its members to buy into the idea of returning the ticket to Osun central with a view to convincing the electorates to vote for the party later in the year.

Similarly, even while gladiators in the PDP have refused to sheath their swords, the party is also divided on the choice of the district to zone the ticket. The Adagunodo faction, according to reports, has settled for the west senatorial district, but Omisore is said to be hell-bent on having another shot at the ticket.

It was gathered that both parties were confused as to the choice of candidate that would be acceptable to the general public in the poll, this, investigation revealed has hindered both parties from going ahead with political activities so it could curtail fallout of its decisions before the primaries.

Meanwhile, other political parties too seem to have refused to grow out of the shadow of the APC, PDP and their political activities appeared to be dictated by the action of the two major political parties in the state.

Labour Party, Accord Party and NCP seems to have been at lost with regards to political realities in the state as none of the parties is showing any readiness to give the two dominant parties a fight for the guber poll later in the year.