2022 being an election year in Osun state was full of political activities. Actors across various political parties schemed, permutated, aligned and realigned as July 16 governorship elections approached. Before, during and after the governorship elections that was eventually won by senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, here are some of the events that defined Osun political space in 2022.
January 1: Oyetola addresses State
Late in December 2021, opposition against Governor Adegboyega Oyetola within the All Progressive Congress has risen, as former deputy speaker of the house of Representatives, Lasun Yussuff, former House of Assembly Speaker, Najeem Salaam and a former secretary to the state government, Moshood Adeoti have shown up at the meeting of the factional group, The Osun Progressives. In his address, Oyetola admitted that 2022 is an election year but assured that he won’t be distracted by politics.
Oyetola said: “2022 is no doubt an election year for us in Osun. But I want to assure the good people of Osun that governance will not go on holiday. As we have proved in the last three years that it is not our style to mix politics with governance, we will continue to deliver on our camping promises.”
https://youtu.be/kDNfYg7pTkE
January 14: Aregbesola declared for TOP
It was a Friday. Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola showed up at an event in Ilesa. At the said event, he declared his full support for the factional group within the APC, the Osun Progressives. He said he belonged to the group and they were set to unseat Oyetola by supporting another candidate against him (Oyetola) in the primaries. Aregbesola also sent cryptic message to the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The former governor after several permutations and inner meetings of the Osun Progressives, went ahead to campaign for former SSG, Moshood Adeoti to become the flagbearer of the APC.
February 19: APC primary
The All Progressives Congress finally held its primary election on Saturday, February 19. The direct primary was supervised by a team led by the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq. Three persons contested the elections. At the end, Oyetola was declared the winner. He garnered 222,169 votes against 12, 921 votes got by Moshood Adeoti and 460 votes recorded by Lasun Yussuff.
However, the elections was rejected by the Osun Progressives who subsequently headed to court to seek redress.
March 8: PDP primary
It was another eventful day in Osun as the PDP held its governorship primaries in the state to produce governorship candidate. The primaries later produced two factional candidates in persons of Senator Ademola Adeleke and Prince Dotun Babayemi. While Adeleke emerged at the Stadium primary, Babayemi was announced as the winner at WOCDIF event center.
It later became a subject of litigation.
March 25: INEC recognised Adeleke
The Independent National Electoral Commission published the names of candidates and recognised Senator Ademola Adeleke as the PDP candidate. Dotun Babayemi’s group kicked and went to the court immediately.
March 26: Omisore became APC National Secretary
The national convention of the APC was held on Abuja to elect new leadership of the party. Former PDP and SDP governorship candidate in Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore emerged as the National Secretary of the Party. Omisore has become a strong ally of Oyetola prior to the election, a development that did not go well with Aregbesola’s group.
April 7: Lasun joined Labour Party
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yussuff who had in February contested for the APC ticket, defected to the Labour Party and picked its governorship ticket.
April 27: Ogunbiyi picked Accord ticket
Former Aspirant under the PDP, Akin Ogunbiyi picked the Accord Party governorship ticket. He promised to defeat the ruling party and the main opposition, PDP.
July 11: Lasun’s country home allegedly attacked
Lasun Yussuff house was allegedly attacked by unknown gunmen in the night. The attack generated reactions from Oyetola-led state government, Ademola Adeleke, non-governmental organizations and his hometown, Ilobu Development Union.
July 12: APC held Mega Rally
All roads in Osogbo were busy as the APC held its mega rally at the Osogbo Township Stadium. Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu led Party stalwarts to the event while Fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde entertained guests and party faithful.
July 14: PDP held maga rally
Denied access to use either of stadium or Freedom Park, the PDP had its maga rally at its party secretariat in Osogbo. The rally was attended by PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, governors and other Party leaders. Popular hip hop star, Davido spiced up the event with quality songs.
July 16: Osun decided
Finally, the governorship election was held in Osun state. It was held under watertight security.
July 17: Ademola Adeleke announced
Candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke was announced as the winner of the poll. Thousands of his supporters trooped to the streets to celebrate the emergence of the Ede-born politician as the winner of the keenly contested elections.
August 4: APC announced intention to go to tribunal
The APC chairman in Osun, Prince Gboyega Famodun declared that his party and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola would be heading to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. He said the party has studied the results and observed some infractions.
August 5: APC, Oyetola filed petitions
The APC and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola filed a suit at the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo. The case is still alive till today.
October 15: OSIEC conducted LG Elections
Despite several opposition against it, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, conducted a one-party local government elections across the 69 local government areas and local council development authorities in the State. All APC candidates were declared winners of the polls.
November 26: Oyetola’s administration ended
The four years of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola ended in the eve of November 26. Oyetola in his farewell address said he was leaving a huge sum of N14bn in the government’s coffers for the incoming government.
November 27: Adeleke inauguration
On Sunday, November 27, Senator Ademola Adeleke took the reign as the Governor of Osun State. He was sworn in at the Osogbo Township Stadium by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adepele Ojo.
November 28: Adeleke released Executive Orders
Governor Ademola Adeleke released executive orders to reverse some decisions of the immediate past administration. He was specific about the appointments made by Oyetola from July 17. He also ordered three monarchs to vacate their palaces pending the conclusion a probe to be conducted by a panel.
December 1: Looting Allegations
Days after taking over government, Adeleke accused the immediate past administration of looting the official quarters of the government. The Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi said the official residence of the deputy governor inside the government house has been looted completely. A video documentary aired by state owned channel, OSBC later showed the state of the apartment.
Countering the claims, Ismail Omipidan, media aide to former Governor Oyetola while addressing newsmen in Osogbo, said the accusations were pure lies and attempts to tarnish the image of his Principal. There seems to be no end to these accusations and counter accusations till date.
December 15: Osun Debt Profile
During a meeting with traditional rulers across the State, Governor Ademola Adeleke disclosed that his administration inherited a sum of N407bn debt profile from the past administration. This became subjects of discussion in the State as immediate past administration of Oyetola insisted that it obtained no credit facility in its four years. Oyetola’s aide pointed to administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola as being the brain behind the debilitating debt.
