Osun West Bye-election: Ademola Adeleke Emerges PDP Candidate

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

The yonger brother of the first civilian governor, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Otunba Ademola Adeleke has emerged the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  in the July 8 Osun West senatorial bye-election.

The Osun West senatorial seat became vacant at the National Assembly following the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke on April 23, this year.

Otunba Adeleke had earlier obtained nomination form under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and declared sole candidate following the disqualification of his running mate,  Senator Mudashir Hussein, whose candidature was disqualified by the screening committee led by Hon. Sanusi Rikiji,  Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly.

Hussein,  who saw the decision of the panel as unfair headed for appeal where he also lost before he was later cleared by the APC National Working Committee, NWC ,on Monday  June 12.

The development, according to investigation, did not go down well with Otunba Adeleke who decided to dump the party for PDP where he eventually emerged the party flag bearer.

Two other aspirants – Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi and Layiwola Falabi were said to have conceded the ticket to Otunba Ademola.

Both Akinlabi and Falabi who attended the primary later announced at the venue that they have accepted that the ticket be given to Dr Ademola Adeleke.

The venue of the primary consequently erupted in wild jubilations following the announcement of the two aspirants to withdraw from the race.