#OsunDecides: Are the citizens really the ones deciding?
Following Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State, The results of the election showed that Adeleke led the race with 254,698 votes, 353 vote more than the runner up, Oyetola. With the exception of Omisore, who secured 128,049 votes, no other candidate came close to the top two — Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party and Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress.
The margin was, however, less than the 3,498 votes in the polling units. Consequently, the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Joseph Afuape, declared the poll inconclusive.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the inconclusive verdict delivered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This has caused some citizens to worry as they believe that justice would not be served. It doesn't seem like INEC wants the opinions and votes of the Osun state citizens to be heard.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen had once described the Osun voters as ‘peaceful and calm’ and has also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the manner it planned the exercise. Although, the turn of events proves that INEC is being accused of double standards and the people of Osun state have once again been failed by the failing Nigerian system of running elections.
This poses the question of ‘Are the Osun state citizens being heard?’ ‘Are certain people playing politics in-between politics?’
