Tinubu's cousin Gboyega Oyetola wins APC primary in Osun State ahead of September 22 elections

GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola's chief of staff Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola has emerged as the All Progressive Congress's (APC) gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming elections taking place in September after winning the party primaries last night.

In a one-sided contest, Alhaji Oyetola beat 16 other candidates, securing a total of 127,017 in the first ever election that involved direct primary voting with each member of the APC in Osun State allowed a vote. After the votes were counted, Senator Ovie Omo-agege, who stood in for the chairman of the electoral panel, Governor Abudul’aziz Yari of Zamafa State, pronounced Alhaji Oyetola the winner of the contest.

Alhaji Oyetola's closest rival, Hon Lassun Yussuf, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, got 21, 975 votes, followed by the incumbent speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Hon Najeem Salam, who had 19,958 votes. Related to the APC leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Oyetola had the backing of his cousin and of Governor Aregbesola.

In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Oyetola thanked party members for their support, adding that the exercise was a litmus test for participatory democracy in Nigeria. He said the peaceful conduct of the primary election was an indication of new democratic paradigm in the state.

Alhaji Oyetola added: “Osun demonstrated what was possible today by voting peacefully and exercising their democratic rights. The success of the direct primaries in Osun has placed our party, the APC on a path of democratic rejuvenation and a rebirth of membership faith in the party.

“So, let me begin by thanking all the card carrying members of the APC in the state of Osun who voted and contributed to making the exercise a success. How can I forget the excitement I saw on the faces of thousands who queued up with their cards to vote?

On September 22, Osun State will go to the polls to elect a new governor in what is likely to be a two horse race between the APC and the main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Later today, the PDP is set to hold its primaries with the winner expected to be declared tonight.

Alhaji Oyetola added: “This victory is for all of us and as we continue our party’s bid to win the election and keep up the good work of moving our state up the global development ladder. I invite all my co-contestants to join me in the task of winning the election of September 22 and running a people oriented government.

“We have only won the battle as the war lies ahead of us. Our opponents from other parties will increase their arsenal to fight with us but we are ready, we are tested and like the broom sweeping away the rot, we are set and ready. The 60 days plus ahead will not be easy but I am confident in our ability to protect what we have."