Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A shocker awaits the presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his loyalists in Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
This is the view of a chieftain and former governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, in a statement made available to Stonix News on Thursday.
He, therefore, advised Tinubu to watch his utterances against other political parties, reminding him that politicking in Osun State was different from that of Lagos.
Onuesoke said the APC leader should not be carried away by his unchallenged popularity in Lagos State.
He stated as unfortunate the viral remark by Tinubu that the PDP and Labour Party would labour to death at an APC governorship rally in Osogbo.
He said the APC Presidential candidate’s confidence will backfire because Osun State PDP governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, was permanently on ground in terms of structure and popularity compared to APC Osun governorship candidate.
“I do not expect Tinubu to under rate other political parties in Osun 2023 Governorship race especially the PDP.
“Ademola Adeleke of PDP, who is challenging the incumbent Governor of Osun State, is, no doubt, a strong contender and he stands a good chance of emerging victorious.
“He lost to Oyetola in what was obviously a keenly contested election that was decided with a run-off after a clear winner failed to emerge on the first ballot.
“As a former Senator, he is well known across the state. His 2018 gubernatorial aspiration as well as his being a member of the illustrious Adeleke family of Edeland, combined to make him a popular and candidate to defeat.
“He is also known to have a wide political structure peopled largely by leaders of the PDP in the various wards and local governments of the state.
“The candidate will also benefit immensely from the street credibility and state-wide popularity of his late brother, former governor Isiaka Adeleke.
“This is why I am saying that Tinubu should not compare Osun election to Lagos. In Lagos, Asiwaju does not have strong challenges as you have in Osun state.
“It is a one-man affair. However, the setting in Osun is different entirely. Tinubu and his APC loyalists should expect a shocker from PDP in Osun 2023 Governorship election,” Onuesoke asserted.