Encomium
THE flag bearer of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Saturday, August 9, 2014, gubernatorial elections in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore has discredited the tale that his political camp is in disarray over alleged misappropriated N2 billion campaign fund. He said the tale lacks merit and should be discountenanced.
He further described the tale as nothing but useless rumour aimed at smearing his reputation.
Speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Friday, September 19, 2014, via his Director of Publicity, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, the engineer turned politician expressed dismay about the tale, labeling those sponsoring it as disgruntled elements. He, therefore, called on the general public to disregard the rumour in its totality.
“There is nothing like missing or misappropriated N2b campaign fund at all in Omisore’s political camp, let alone splitting the camp. In the first place, who funded the governorship campaign? Otunba Omisore single-handedly funded his governorship campaign. So, the question of misappropriation of campaign money does not arise at all. Did they tell you he got the money elsewhere? If they did, that’s a big lie. They’re just looking for a way of harming his reputation. Omisore’s political camp is very much intact. We’re together and so shall we remain till we reclaim our stolen mandate from All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Let me even set the record straight. Omisore won the hearts of Osun electorate not because of money but because they all loved him, which was demonstrated during the elections. They all came out in thousands to vote him. We didn’t share money or rice to voters as being bandied by Aregbesola and his supporters. That’s one of the reasons they’re jittery, even before the elections. I am sure they are the one peddling the useless rumour.
“We’re very sure we won the election, that’s why we petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC about the stage-managed victory of Aregbesola at the poll.”
Asked to shed light on the reported crisis between the counsels of Aregbesola and Omisore at the tribunal a couple of days back, he explained, “Yes, but it was a kind of heated argument between the two groups. We discovered that APC wanted to distort the tribunal’s process of investigating all the charges against the party and the INEC. That’s exactly what caused the crisis at the tribunal. What we insisted on was the investigation of ballot papers, but the APC counsels were bringing in a video tape of another thing which was not part of the evidences before the tribunal, and that’s not acceptable. That’s why we kicked instantly. They know already that they will lose out at the tribunal. We’re very sure of victory, that’s why we don’t believe in violence. No matter how long it takes, we will reclaim our stolen mandate. In few months, Omisore will be sworn in as governor of Osun State. After 180 days, the tribunal will declare the authentic winner of the elections.”
ENCOMIUM Weekly sought the reaction of APC chieftain, Mr. Wole Adegbenjo on the development, and he attributed Omisore’s reaction to the pain of unexpected defeat he suffered in the Saturday, August 9, 2014 guber poll in the state. He added that his threat doesn’t move APC an inch as he has no mandate to reclaim.
“I don’t know why you’re still listening to people from Omisore’s camp. Even one of his party leaders in Osun has come out openly and said the party regretted fielding Omsiore for the governorship election. He said he wasn’t the right candidate for the party. So, what are we saying? His camp is not in order at the moment, but he won’t tell you the truth.
“The issues at the tribunal are very glaring. Nothing to hide at all. Victory is still sure for Aregbesola. It’s known to everybody within and outside the state that APC won the elections clearly. So, going to the tribunal is just a waste of time and resources for Omisore and his supporters. He should also have been a hero of democracy now, if he had accepted defeat and congratulated Aregbesola just as Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti did.”
– TADE ASIFAT
