Osun 2108 governorship election had been contested and won. Congratulations to the Governor-elect of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and to the first runner-up, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was leading the contest at the end of first ballot, with 353 votes. Though Adeleke lost the battle at the second ballot, he has won the hearts of many Osun people and Nigerians in general. I foresee the Ede born Senator becoming the governor of the South-West State in no distant time, owning to his brilliant performance and popularity, in the just concluded election in Osun State.

Recall that Osun governorship election was held on September 22, 2018. While announcing the outcome of the election at the end of the first ballot, the Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof Joseph Fuwape stated that, the two leading candidates Ademola Adeleke of PDP and Gboyega Oyetola of APC polled 254,698 and 254,345 respectively. Leaving the margin between them at 353 votes, at first ballot. Unfortunately, there were records of irregularities that led to cancellation of votes in 7 polling units spread across 4 local governments. The total number of registered voters in the affected polling units amount to 3498 voters.

In accordance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Election Guidelines, the Returning Officer declared the election inconclusive at first ballot, because the number of registered voters in the affected polling units is higher than the margin between the two leading candidates. INEC thereafter fixed September 27 for the re-run election. Though the re-run election had been held and won, it memory will remain fresh in our head, even as we approach 2019 general elections.

The magnitude of the security lapses and harassment experienced on the day of the re-run raise serious concern. There were allegations of harassment of voters by some people believed to be political thugs in Orolu local government. Images of thugs checking the electorates before allowing them to gain access to the polling station flooded the social media. It was alleged that a political party used white handkerchief to identity their supporters, and those without such identity were at the mercy of the thugs. Inducement of the voters was another monster that discredit the exercise. Accredited observers, journalists and party agents were equally rough handled by security personnel. It took the intervention of the electoral umpire before some arrested observers were released.

Ironically, when the governorship election took place in over 3000 polling units across the State, the exercise was relatively peaceful, free and fair, but when the same election took place in just seven units, there were records of violence, harassment and intimidation. The fact that these harassment and intimidation took place before the very eyes of the security operatives, while they either look the other way or join in the act, complicates the matter.

If Osun re-run could be this unfair, Nigerians are worried of what would become of 2019 general elections. Is this the promised change?

The future is now.

http://www.olamilite.com/2018/09/osun-2018-re-run-election-distasteful.html?m=0#more

Not fair ?

Am I the only one who sees that the year posted by the op is hundreds of years into the future?

So because he did not win the by-election the election is now fraud ? How did he win the senatorial election ? You should have asked INEC cancel the by-election n declare him the governor then.

Nawao