The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Saturday’s gubernatorial election, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, has urged his supporters to vote for any party of their choice in Thursday’s rerun in the seven polling units where election results were cancelled.
However, he advised his supporters that the parties must be those that align with the ideals of the SDP that he intended to implement if he had been elected as governor.
In a Wednesday statement published by Nigerian Tribune, Omisore reminded his supporters that the ideals of the party are good governance, social justice and accountability.
The Herald recalls that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Saturday’s gubernatorial election inconclusive, stating that the difference between the leading candidate, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, and the second-placed candidate, Gboyega Oyetola, was below the number of cancelled votes in seven polling units.
The electoral body therefore ordered a rerun for Thursday, September 27 in the seven polling units most of which fall in areas that are traditional Omisore strongholds.
Read Also: Oshiomhole Calls Omisore Murderer On Saturday, Offers Him N480m On Wednesday – Fani-Kayode
This has made the former Osun deputy governor the toast of both leading political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
But Omisore has refused to openly back either of the two parties.
The statement read, “Osun state has always been a stellar example of democracy where the people have consistently and freely expressed their franchise to determine who governs them.
“This should remain so. Osun people have shown that it is not business as usual. It is a positive deviation from what was hitherto the norm.
“I am telling my people that they should go with any political party that believes in what we in the SDP stand for; good governance, social justice and accountability. I have already detailed how we planned to restore Osun to the path of good governance through the five thematic pillars in the manifesto I shared during the electioneering. I will not negotiate for personal gains and abandon my people.
“My alliance is with the people of Osun state irrespective of the political party they belong. I want my people to be treated with the dignity they deserve. I desire that they have a government that will be accountable to them. I want them to experience the good governance the founding fathers of this state envisaged. I have told the parties that have solicited for my support to approach the electorates and ask for their mandate as I have assured them that I will not coerce them for political or social power. It is because I have kept my promise that has made me enjoyed their unalloyed support all these years.
“As highlighted in SDP manifestos, the five thematic pillars the SDP had hoped to implement to improve governance, eliminate financial reckless and reposition the economy of Osun state include: Economic management and accountability; Professionalism and performance; Equity in access to service; Local content and innovation and Security.
“To this end, he has said to all Nigerians that this is the centre point of his campaign and “democracy we both fought for and believe in. It is the right and democratic freedom of people to choose by their own free will. Their votes should not be coerced by money, vote buying, intimidation in form of militarisation, political and social power.
“Their voices of demand for good governance, accountability and human dignity should continue to be heard as well as salaries paid. All these are what I stand for and which the SDP had promised the people all through our electioneering campaigns. They are still paramount to me as we collectively chart the way forward for the governorship elections rerun in Osun state.”
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