By Samson Adeyanju
A legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not permit the rigging of the forthcoming Osun governorship election, insisting that the poll will be free and fair.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Olajengbesi said the President would not support electoral manipulation anywhere in the country, citing heightened international attention on the Osun election and the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He added that Governor Ademola Adeleke enjoys broad goodwill within government circles, which he said further reduces the likelihood of interference.
Olajengbesi, however, criticised former Osun State governor Gboyega Oyetola over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries, alleging that the process was skewed to favour a preferred aspirant.
He claimed that several prominent aspirants were disqualified, leaving only two cleared to contest.
Among those reportedly disqualified were former senator and ex-APC national secretary Iyiola Omisore; former deputy governor Benedict Alabi; former senator Babajide Omoworare; Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Adegoke; Dotun Babayemi; Dr Akin Ogunbiyi; and businessman Babatunde Oralusi.
He described the disqualifications as unjust and damaging to party unity, arguing that the APC missed an opportunity to present a stronger and more competitive candidate in Osun.
Olajengbesi maintained that while the party primaries may be disputed, the governorship election itself would not be rigged.
Olajengbesi, an Osun-born lawyer, said the electorate would ultimately decide the outcome of the election at the ballot box.
