TheCable

Ademola Adeleke, senator representing Osun west, has won the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his state.

The senator defeated his closest challenger, Akin Ogunbiyi, to emerge the flagbearer of the PDP in the September 22 governorship election.

Adeleke won by a close margin, securing 1569 votes while Ogunbiyi had 1562. A recount of the votes was required before the senator was declared victor of the primary.

Seven of the 11 aspirants in the primary election withdrew early on Saturday when the exercise commenced.

Adejare Bello, Sunkanmi Akinlabi, Felix Jumoko, Ayoade Adewepo, Adeolu Durotoye, Jide Adeniji and Lere Akogun were the aspirants who stepped down from the race.

Fatai Akinbade, Akin Ogunbiyi, Ademola Adeleke and Nathaniel Oke were the four aspirants who saw the race to the end.

Some of the aspirants who withdrew pledged their support for Ogunbiyi while Adeleke also received the backing of a couple of them.

Adeleke, the winner of the primary, will represent the party in the governorship election scheduled for September 22.

The primary election was overseen by Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa state governor.

Isiaka Oyetola, chief of staff to Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun, was on Friday declared winner of the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He will be Adeleke’s main challenger.