Coming into the rerun, Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had a slight lead, having polled 254,699 votes while Oyetola polled 254,345 votes in the initial election held on Saturday, September 22. However, in the rerun, Adeleke polled 325 votes to Oyetola’s 1160. Consequently, according to INEC, Oyetola polled a total of 255,505 votes overall to defeat Adeleke, who recorded a cumulative 255,023 votes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Isiaka Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the Osun State governorship election.
Joseph Afuwape, IENC’s Returning Officer, made the declaration on Thursday night after the results of the rerun were declared at the secretariat of the commission in Osogbo, capital of the state.
Coming into the rerun, Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had a slight lead, having polled 254,699 votes while Oyetola polled 254,345 votes in the initial election held on Saturday, September 22.
However, in the rerun, Adeleke polled 325 votes to Oyetola’s 1160. Consequently, according to INEC, Oyetola polled a total of 255,505 votes overall to defeat Adeleke, who recorded a cumulative 255,023 votes.[story_link align="left"]63368[/story_link]
As generously reported by Saharareporters earlier in the day, Thursday’s rerun, which proved the election decider, was marred by a series of electoral malpractices.
At Disu, in Orolu Local Government Area, residents refused to vote, saying they were attacked on their farms on Wednesday by thugs “loyal to the APC”.
The residents alleged that the thugs threatened them against coming out to vote, saying that if they did, they would regret it.
An elderly woman, who spoke with SaharaReporters, accused the security operatives of condoning the situation, stating that "they are beating people even in front of soldiers".[story_link align="left"]63367[/story_link]
"We are afraid; we can't go there without any security man," the woman said.
In Ifon town, in Orolu Local Government Area, residents lamented the forced collection of their PVCs by thugs “loyal to the APC”.
According to the residents, the hoodlums came armed with guns and cutlasses, and collected their PVCs, incapacitating them from voting in the rerun.
One of the residents, who preferred not to be named, told SaharaReporters: "They have all collected our PVCs; we can't vote. They have been shooting at us — the APC thugs."[story_link align="left"]63360[/story_link]
At Kajola Village, also in Orolu Local Government area, Sahara Reporters authoritatively confirmed a plot to rig the election in Ward 8 Unit 1,
When our correspondent visited the polling unit, members of the community were being screened by some thugs. The residents were asked to tender their PVCs and were asked which party they belonged to. Failure to answer this question meant the residents were sent back, while those who answered that they were for the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allowed to pass.
Upon arrival at the polling unit, Sahara Reporters noticed that the agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was absent at the unit, and that voting had already begun with heavy security presence.
The polling unit in this area is located in a very thick bush, rendering access to the area very difficult.