By Kunle Owolabi, Political Editor, Reporting from Osogbo
Peaceful atmosphere descended on Osun less than 13 hours before the decisive governorship election.
The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, had on Thursday declared Friday a public holiday across the state just 48 hours before polls commence.
Osun had been embroiled in violence amidst rabid campaigns by the political parties.
Political parties, Particularly Accord Party of the incumbent governor and the All Progressive Party [APC], had pointed fingers at each other for the atmosphere of chaos previously hung on the state.
There are more than ten political parties jostling to occupy the Okefia, Osogbo Government House.
Many political observers, however told our correspondent that the election is a two-horse race between the APC and Adeleke’s Accord Party.
It was gathered that nephew of the APC governorship Campaign Director General, Oluwole Oke, was assassinated Wednesday night along Esa-Oke road while return from campaign.
That was not the first time, however that some people have been hacked to death across the state, with both parties accusing each other for the killing.
As the moment of saturday crucial election gathered this Friday, our correspondent went round the state capital and some local governments and report that everywhere was calm as voters prepare for the election.
In Olaoluwa Local Government, a prominent APC leader and former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, told Theliberationnews that the election will be Peaceful as APC is prepared for a free and fair election.
He said the party and its teeming members do not believe in violence but are rather well-focused on winning the election in the most clean and clear manner.
“Election is not war. APC does not believe in violence. We are law- abiding people in our party. We have what it takes to contest and win.
“The other party is afraid. It’s people are jittery because they saw the massive campaign of the APC.
“The mega rally that took place at the Freedom Square in Osogbo on Thusrday is a testimony that we are a formidable party. We are on ground. We are ready to participate in and under the most peaceful atmosphere,” Isamotu said.
Another party leader, form Odo-Otin Local Governmnet, Hon. Abdullah Binuyo, former Deputy Chief of Staff to former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, allayed fear being expressed by people, saying the election would be devoid of violence.
He stressed that the people of the state are politically experienced and need no prodding when it comes to who to vote for.
According to him, in the past three and half years of the current governmnet, the people have know what operated and know what they want.
He said: “Let me tell you the fact, people of this state are educated and politically experienced to understand hat the state has been in serious crisis and incompetent governance.
“So, the people are ready to rescue the state from conyism and government of One family by one family for one family town.
“People are ready on Saturday to say enough is enough. And it is not by violence but an open, peaceful ballot revolution aimed at kicking out incompetent government our of the state house. The D- day for change is Saruday.”
