Niyi Akande, Osogbo
Barring any last minutes change, the Senator representing West Senatorial District in Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, will on January 15, the day of 63rd posthumous birthday of his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, declare ambition to contest forthcoming Osun governorship election SPEARGISTS has exclusively learnt.
Senator Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected in July last year after defeating Senator Mudashiru Hussein of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 9 out of 10 local government areas in the West Senatorial District.
Adeleke, it was learnt decided to join the fray following insinuations with the fold of the two major parties in the state that no politician in West Senatorial has the financial warchest and political clout to vie and win governorship election.
“As it is, we cannot just sit and watch. The demise of late Otunba Isiaka Adeleke drew our Senatorial back because he was our surest bet of nicking governorship ticket. Be that as it may, we have moved on. Senator Ademola Adeleke has everything ever needed to contest and win governorship election. Just underestimate us at your peril,” a key figure in Ademola Adeleke governorship project told SPEARGISTS.
It was also gathered that 15th January, the day tentatively picked for the declaration is significant, as late Senator Adeleke, on whose goodwill his younger brother, Demola rode to the Red Chamber would have turned 63.
“January 15 is a day of prayer for the Adeleke’s. Late Serubawon would have turned 63 this year. To mark his posthumous birthday, the mosque built in his honour within the premises of his Ede country home will be formally opened for use and Senator Demola will formally declare to run for the governorship same day,” the source concluded.
At last count as much as 15 aspirants across the two major parties in the state have shown interest in succeeding Aregbesola. Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Hon. Lasun Yusuff, Secretary to Osun government, Alhaji. Moshood Adeoti, Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and Speaker, Osun state House of Assembly, Hon Najeem Salaam are those in the race for ticket of the ruling APC.
Senator Iyiola Omisore, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, Chief Felix Ogunwale, Hon Adejare Bello and Dr Kayode Oduoye are some of those believed to be eyeing PDP ticket.
