JUST IN: INEC declares Adeleke winner of Osun west by-election

6 min read 1,142 words 10 views

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun West
Senatorial District by-election, Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday
defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Mudashiru
Hussain, with total votes of 97, 480. Adeleke won nine out of the
10 local government areas.

Hussain, who was Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s anointed candidate
got 66,116 votes.

In Iwo Local Government Area, Adeleke had 12,547 votes as
against Hussain’s 12,205. While in Ejigbo Local Government Area,
Hussain’s stronghold, the PDP candidate with 9,723 votes trailed
his opponent who polled 12,229 votes.

Again, the former APC member, led with 9,096 votes with Hussain
having 8952 votes in Irewole Local Government Area.

In Ayedire Local Government Area, Adeleke had 5,789 votes while
Hussain trailed him with 5,360 votes.

It was a similar result in Olaoluwa Local Government Area as
Adeleke led with 5,618 votes to Hussain’s 5,316.

The PDP candidate with 18,559 votes, led by a wide margin in Ede
North Local Government Area as the APC candidate polled 2,784
votes.

It was a similar result in Ede South Local Government as Adeleke
polled 13,406 votes while his opponent had 2,096 votes.

In Ayedaade Local Government Area, PDP had 9,061 votes while APC
polled 7,179.

Hussain, who polled 4,768 votes in Egbedore Local Government
Area, lost to Adeleke who had 7,142; while in Isokan Local
Government Area, the PDP candidate led with 6,539 votes, with his
APC counterpart polling 5,227.

Our correspondent observed that the by-election was peaceful in
many places as security agents including soldiers were present at
various points to prevent any breakdown of law and order just as
the police on Saturday arrested three people.

The individuals were accused of attacking voters as they
attempted to snatch ballot boxes.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums invaded Igbokiti
Unit Ward 10 in Okinnin, Egbedore Local Government Area and
attacked some voters, who prevented them from snatching the
boxes.

One of the voters, Olusegun Ige, who spoke with our
reporter said, “Some political thugs invaded our unit and
attempted to hijack ballot boxes and stuff them with their own
ballot papers but they were prevented. They injured some of the
people who stopped them. But they were eventually overpowered and
arrested by security agents.”

However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Fimihan
Adeoye, when contacted on the telephone said three persons were
arrested but not arrested in connection with the election.

Speaking on the poll, Adeleke had said, “The process is going on
well and I am very optimistic that with God on my side, I shall be
victorious.”

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Osun West
Senatorial District, Senator Mudashiru Hussain, who eventually lost
the election had also said he was confident of emerging the winner
of the poll.

He said, “I want to laud INEC for their arrangements and also
want to want to laud the electorate for their enthusiasm. I am very
optimistic of victory.”

Accreditation and voting started at 8 am in many polling units
with voters trooping out early to exercise their franchise in all
the 10 local government areas which make up the senatorial
district.

Security was tight in Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Ejigbo,
Iwo and other local government areas, while most roads were
barricaded by soldiers.