By-election to be conducted

INEC fixes July 8 for by-election to replace Adeleke

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled July 8 for the conduct of the by - election to fill the Osun - West senatorial district ’ s vacant seat at the upper legislative chamber .
This was contained in a notice dated Monday , June 5 , 2017 and signed by the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Osun State , Mr E . A . Ademusire .
The notice read , “ Consequent upon the provisions of the enabling statutes that a by - election to fill the declared vacant seat by the National Assembly be conducted within 30 days upon the declaration , take notice that by the directives of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission , a by - election for the Osun - West senatorial seat will hold on Saturday , July 8, 2017 . ”
The notice came just as politicians from various political parties also intensified preparations ahead of the election .
A former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party , Mr Wale Alakinde , has announced that he is interested in the race to pick the PDP ticket for the senatorial district .
Alakinde , while speaking at a press conference , said he was being pushed forward by the Ede community where Adeleke hailed from to continue the liberation struggle from where Adeleke stopped .
He hailed Adeleke’ s performance and his leadership style, adding that like Adeleke, he would also help his constituents apart from performing his legislative duties effectively .
The former governorship aspirant , who is also a chartered accountant , said the Adeleke family was not interested in allowing any of the deceased ’ s siblings to contest the by - election despite the entreaties by the All Progressives Congress .
He said , “I want to contest the Osun - West senatorial district by -election , which has been tentatively scheduled to hold on July 8 . I am not a new entrant in politics and I am confident of winning the race .
“ I am in the race to deliver Osun people from the shackles of the APC government . That was what Senator Isiaka Adeleke was doing before his mysterious death and my people believe that somebody must take over the mantle from the late senator . I am being pushed forward by the Ede community .
“ The Adeleke family is not interested in sending any of their family members to contest despite the pleas from the APC. His death was a mysterious one . What is two years at the senate compared to the life of their brother?”
Alakinde , who belongs to the Soji Adagunodo - led PDP in the state , said the crisis rocking the party would not have any negative impact on his aspiration , saying the two factions would unite to support a candidate during the election .