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Adeleke’s defection to APC stirs controversy in PDP

‘I can’t work for a killer,’ he says

‘He is a liar, and will regret leaving PDP’ – OMISORE

THE crisis rocking Osun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to abate.  And the situation has been further compounded by the exit of one of the party stalwarts, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke who announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), at the state capital, Osogbo on Saturday, May 31, 2014.

According to a political pundit, the decision of Serubawon, as Adeleke is also known, has been giving the PDP flag-bearer in Saturday, August 9, 2014, gubernatorial election, Senator Iyiola Omisore sleepless nights.

“Adeleke’s defection to APC at this crucial moment is a deadly blow to Omisore’s camp. It has really sent jitters down his spine.  He is currently off balance politically because he never expected Adeleke to decamp few days for him to flag off his campaign.  It’s really an ugly moment for PDP generally.  I learnt some party leaders at the national level are preparing to wade into the matter.  But with the situation of things right now, the die has been cast already.  I don’t think Adeleke can go back to PDP that he has described as the most violent party so far.”

An impeccable source also told ENCOMIUM Weekly that the APC camp was thrown into wide jubilation on the arrival of the Ede born politician into the party.  According to him, the step has been considered by the party leaders in the state as timely as it will brighten the chance of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola having a smooth ride to Abere, the seat of power of the Home of the Living Spring for the second time.

“APC is still celebrating the arrival of Senator Isiaka Adeleke.  The party organized a welcome party for him in Osogbo on Sunday, June 1, 2014. He has been embraced fully by all the party leaders.  Aregbesola in particular is very happy at the moment having won another bigwig to his side.  I learnt he has resolved to carry Adeleke along in his administration if he wins the Saturday, August 9 election.”

Meanwhile, announcing the reasons he called it quits with PDP, Senator Adeleke reportedly said he is no longer comfortable being in the party again on account of it being violent, let alone working for Omisore, who he also described as a killer.

These and much more are contained in a statement forwarded to ENCOMIUM Weekly on Saturday, June 7, 2014, by a member of Adeleke’s media team who preferred anonymity.  The release reads: “I would like to thank all monarchs and politicians who supported me when I decided to venture into politics on arrival from the US.  I thank you all because you supported me.  What party was I then?  It’s Social Democratic Party (SDP). That was why Papa Akande said I have just returned home because I am naturally a progressive.  I was the assistant secretary, SDP.  I, Peperito and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were the three persons Abiola would wake up and see from his bed then.

“With my experience in politics so far, I have never seen the kind of violence they have in PDP.  I was honestly contented with my senate ambition, when suddenly some people called me from Abuja to vie against Omisore.  They said his candidature cannot bring success to them in the state.

“Then, I was invited by our officials from Abuja who came to Osun to address all aspirants.  So, I went to meet them at the hotel where they lodged.  The first person I saw was the former council chairman of Ede North, then that of Ede South.  They were forced to lie on bare floor with guns pointed on their heads.  One riffraff they just made Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili was co-ordinating the harassment.  So, I approached him. I moved closer to him and said, “Ha, Jalo, why are they harassing my boys?”  He said they were thugs.  I said how can you call them thugs?  These are reputable ex-local government chairmen.  The next thing he did was that he pounced on me and started hitting knuckles on my chest.  Then, another boy of theirs also came around and slapped me from behind, Omisore also sprang up and was shouting, “Shoot him!  Take him out!” (I swear with Allah’s name).  He continued shouting and shouting.  There is no way I can work for a killer.  There is no way I can work for a man who is violent, ready to get to government house.

“I wholly accepted to be in APC when I came out to vie as governorship aspirant in PDP.  I used to wonder what else would I tell the people that I will do for them.  Would I tell them I will build new roads in the sky?

“They want to use violence, they want to rig but we will resist them. Now, 80 per cent of the job is done but we would work harder to ensure success in August 9 election,” the statement added.

Reacting to Adeleke’s claims, Omisore who spoke to ENCOMIUM Weekly on Sunday, June 8, 2014, via his Director of Publicity, Mr. Diran Odeyemi said, “It’s quite unfortunate that Adeleke has taken a wrong decision at this time.  Leaving PDP when APC members are trooping to PDP on a daily basis is obviously a wrong decision.  Though it’s normal to wish him good luck, I can predict that he will be confronted with unpleasant situations in APC which will make him regret leaving PDP.  He is even a liar.

“With his absence at a time we are about to commence our campaign, he is obviously not one of the people chosen by God to be part of our success story in August 9 election.  I believe God must have answered our prayers to remove any impediment on our way to success.

“We are grateful to the people of Ede, including Adeleke’s family members who have refused to follow him and have assured us of their support.  With Hon. Adejare Bello, a former speaker in the state, a worthy Ede indigene as the Deputy Governorship candidate, we will not miss Adeleke.”

-TADE ASIFAT

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