Mike Ojoobanikan
Now that the Independent National Electoral Commission electoral officer, Professor Adeola Joseph Fuwape, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, FUTA, Akure, has fixed Thursday, 29 September for the re-run, Iyiola Omisore, Social Democratic Party, SDP candidate and the third runner-up may determine who will become the eventual winner.
Here is how: The election is expected to be held in Orolu, Ife North and South local governments and some units in Osogbo, where irregularities were recorded and their votes were cancelled.
Omisore’s relevance, according to political analysts, “is hinged on the fact that his influence in two of the local government areas where the elections would be held could not be undermined in anyway. The two contenders would have to court Omisore in order to deliver the units where he has influence to either of them.”
If PDP and APC court him well, he may ask his supporters to vote for either party. However, he will surely use his Ile Ife as a bargaining chip or may even be made to fill in some commissionership slots in the new administration.
Will Omisore work for APC, given his low regard for the dancing senator Adeleke?
According to Fuwape, Senator Ademola Adeleke of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, secured a total vote of 254,698 with Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of All Progressive Congress coming second with 254,345 votes, a margin of 353 votes.
Apparently, the rerun election will be held between the candidates of PDP and APC. The election is expected to be held in Orolu, Ife North and South local governments and some units in Osogbo, where irregularities were recorded and their votes were cancelled.
