By Kehinde Ayantunji
Coasts appeared clear for the major political parties participating in the scheduled July 8 Osun West Senatorial District by-election as parties on Wednesday concluded their primaries.
Senator Mudshir Hussein of the All Progressive Congress ( APC) emerged as the sole candidate for the party after the withdrawal of his main contender, Prince Ademola Adeleke who withdrew from the race after the National Working Committee of the party on Monday cleared Husein to contest.
Senator Hussein polled 2412 votes out 2413 valid votes with Ademola Adeleke 1 vote at the primary held at Distinguish Event Centre, Aye Market in Egbedore Local Government attended by the National Assembly Members from the district, members of the state executive council among prominent APC members.
Hussein while addressing journalists at the end of the primary appreciated the support of the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, members of the APC and the people of the senatorial district at large and promised quality representation if emerged during the by–election.
He said he provided responsible leadership the last time he had opportunity to represent the district at the upper chamber. “I am confident of victory, in 2007 I defeated the incumbent my brother late Senator Adeleke but I was robbed, in 2011 I also defeated him, I have no doubt we are winning the election to support the change mantra.”
Ademola, the younger brother of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke who resigned from APC is the Senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the coming election.
Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi and Col. Olayiwola Falabi stepped down for Ademola at the primary held at Iwo Township Stadium. He polled 343 votes out of the 400 delegates that participated in the primary election.
Adeleke had earlier notified APC screening Committee led by the Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon Sanusi Rikiji for what he described as obvious interference by political godfather and power brokers.
He complained about the venue of the primary held in Egbedore local government instead of Iwo which according to him exposed the process to potential adjudication.
But as at the period he submitted the letter dated June 13, 2017, Adeleke was already holding meeting to pick the PDP ticket at the residence of one of the party BOT member, Dr Olu Alabi in Osogbo the State Capital.
Adeleke at the end of the PDP primary expressed optimism to defeat senator Husein of APC.
Also former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Bade Falade has won Social Democratic Party SDP, primary election ahead of the July 8 Osun West senatorial district by-election.
Hon. Falade emerged the winner at a primary conducted in Iwo city hall. Until his decamp to SDP, Hon Falade was a member of Dr Bayo Faforijin led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)faction loyal to Senator Iyiola Omisore.
He pulled 15 votes to beat his closest challenger, Hon. Rasheed Adeyemo who polled 12 votes out of the 28 delegate present at primary election held at Iwo town hall. With the emergence of Hon. Falade, he is the flag bearer of SDP in the coming Osun West senatorial district by-election.
Falade is the Chief Executive of Lords Glory Oil. He hails from Ejigbo Local government Area in Osun State.
Nine political parties held their primary on Wednesday according to the State Administrative Secretary of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr Emanuel Admisure who supervised the conduct of the primary election across the state.
