Osun guber fallout: Lobbyists turn Adeleke’s residence to ‘Mecca’ for appointment

Razaq Bamidele

Aftermath of the July 16, governorship election in Osun State that ended in favour of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, his residence in Ede, his home town has been turned to a Mecca of sort where Lobbyists for political appointment throng for attention.

Interestingly, the lobbyists cut across all the political parties from both the 15 ones that partook in the election and those that did not field candidates.

Volunteering comments on the development, a grassroots politician and National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje said the development is natural in party politics, likening politics to a cube of sugar that ants gravitate towards.

According to him, that’s what makes victorious people have several parents and siblings while failure instantly becomes an orphan, adding that, “however, it doesn’t affect some principled politicians like some of us who would stay with our parties come rain come shine.”

Omo-Aje said, “to the people in my category, our belief is that it’s the turn of the man at the center of attraction today and tomorrow can be our turn,” concluding that, “nevertheless, we will congratulate the person on his success and wish him well because his performance will rob off on all of us.”

Osun State Coordinator of a Pro-democracy group, Better Nigeria Movement Group, Alhaji Moshood Owoyemi Sulaeman, who also agreed with Omo-Aje, said, since no governor does it alone, it is better for people who feel they are competent to serve the people under him to move closer to him with their credentials for perusal before the rushing period, believing that Ademola Adeleke will do well in office.

While congratulating him on his well-deserved victory, Sulaeman advised him to practise government of inclusion, assuring him that,”members of my Movement are solidly behind him and ever prepared to assist him where and when needed.”

One of the early callers at the place, who begged for unanimity confided in our correspondent that, “it is the normal and natural thing to be expected in a situation like this,” adding that, “the governor elect is expected to start preparing for his cabinet by now since he is expected to hit the ground running immediately after swearing in.”

A resident of the town, who doesn’t want his name in print disclosed that, “Adeleke’s residence is not the only point of calls for the the lobbyists because the in-coming governor has a formidable godfather who incidentally is his biological brother,” adding that, “the house of that brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke will be equally bombarded because of the belief that he has a bit of influence on his kid brother.”

Recall that the pendulum of victory swung towards the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke in the July 16 governorship election in Osun State when he defeated the incumbent Governor Oyetola to become the governor elect.