Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
DAYS to the September 22 Osun State governorship election, indications have emerged that 47 opposition parties taking part in the election are working to form a coalition to unseat the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Elendu Reports has gathered.
This newspaper gathered that the opposition parties are not leaving anything to chances having realized that the ruling party could use its federal might to win the election at all cost.
The leading governorship candidates in the state include; former Secretary to Osun State Government , Alhaji Fatai Akinbade of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adeoti Moshood Olalekan of Action Democratic Party, (ADP), Senator Iyiola Omisore of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke Of The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Adegboyega Oyetola Of All Progressive Congress (APC), James Akintola of Alliance for Democracy (AD).
A chieftain of Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the state, told our correspondent that talks were presently going on among the opposition parties in the state to form a coalition before the election day.
He said that though if all the parties contesting in the governorship election in the state go into the election without forming an alliance, there is a possibility of a run off in the election, arguing that there may not be a clear winner in the first ballot.
He added that there may be an alliance against the APC during the run off to defeat the party in the state.
He stated: “There is an on going talks between the ADP and the ADC. Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo sanctioned it.”
“There are talks with other political parties too, the talks are ongoing but there is no concrete outcome yet, but anything can happen between now and Wednesday.”
Also, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also confirmed that talks were on going with all other political parties except the APC.
“We are talking to as many parties as possible including the PDP and SDP because our candidate is a frontline candidate. So we are still working things out because we know if all of them contest the election, the APC man will scale through.”
The ADC chieftain said that the party’s candidate will not step down, hence, the reason why the party is trying to lobby other parties.
“We have just being talking across board, the only party that we are not in discussion with is APC. Between today and tomorrow I believe some meaningful outcomes will emerge,” he said.