It is not for nothing that democracy is about people. It is about number; it is all about votes. In short, it is about election and nothing more. All others are mere academic exercise.
Undoubtedly, the people of Osun State had this on the back of their minds. That informed their decision on September 22, 2018. That pleasant Saturday, they were with one accord; like never before. They knew what they wanted and how to get it.
They held their collective decision very close to their chests. And the issue at stake was very dear to their hearts. And what was that matter? Of course, it was the election of a governor of the state. Out of the retinue of candidates, both serious and unserious, two stood out clearly.
As time went by, their choice was narrowed down to Mr. Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP). The atmosphere was both frenzied and tensed, such an uncommon combination.
There was no pretence it was a matter of life and death. Everything was at stake. The gladiators were not feigning ignorance of this. You could see the anxiety and suspense from their utterances, body language, action and inaction.
On the D-Day, the voters abandoned every other thing. They knew they had a date with destiny. Patiently, they waited on the queue with bated breath. They dared not take things for granted. They were suspicious, curious, extremely vigilant and security conscious. They couldn’t risk anything less; that would be suicidal.
The electorate were “armed to the teeth” with their “almighty” Permanent Voter’s Card, aka PVC. That is the only power they have. And it comes into play every four years. It has become a ritual where powerful politicians are made to kiss the dust.
The event of that Saturday in Osun State was no different. It was a power show. A display of egos, both bruised and battered. After the nasty rigour of electioneering, it was the day of reckoning. Everybody was convinced it would not be an easy ride. It was a serious business. The governorship seat was up for grabs.
Hopes would be dashed and raised. It would mar and make lives. There must be celebrations, jubilations and at the same time wailings and licking of wounds. In other words, this election must be won and lost. That is the beauty of democracy in all climes.
Luck would smile on some fate would be cold and quarrel to others. That is why politicians fight elections with every drop of blood in their veins. They fight as if they would not fight another war just after four years.
There were reported cases of physical threat to peace when voting was ongoing. But against all odds, the determined voters kept their cool. They would not be provoked. Still, the voters stood their solid ground. They refused to be cajoled or moved. They proudly swallowed their pride for the sake of our fledgling democracy.
As the counting of votes advanced, tension increased. And it was all over the state. Collation of results made matters worse. All the paperweight contestants effortlessly crashed out.
Those famed to be powerful and popular were demystified. They were forced to leave the stage for Adeleke and Oyetola. It became a straight and fierce fight between the two.
Dust settled the election produced a never-expected result. It shocked some to marrow, but made others to clap, dance and jump for joy. Its outcome was an upset, a blow: PDP’s Adeleke scored 254,698; APC’s Oyetola garnered 253, 452. PDP won with a thin merging of 1,246 votes.
But victory was short lived; INEC would not accept that. It failed to declare results in 17 polling units. It claimed the election in those units was inconclusive. That is the next level in our sordid electoral process.
A re-run election characterized by violence and gross malpractices took place the following Saturday. Its results added to the previous one gave APC 255,505 votes and PDP 255,023.
This time around, the PDP disagreed. And the battle shifted to the election tribunal, which preferred to hold court in far-away Abuja instead of Osogbo. Eleven witnesses testified in favour of the APC. Out of the over 100 witnesses assembled by the PDP, “only” 84 were bold enough to stick their necks out.
Curiously enough, INEC and Oyetola bluntly opted not to bring any witness. They practically ignored the court, as if they had nothing tangible at stake. The court took a serious note of this.
While hearing was going on, there were devastating unconfirmed reports. For instance, the rumour mill had it that the defence team was collapsing like a pack of loosed cards. It alleged the team was losing steam fast, forcing it to close its case almost abruptly.
After the tribunal closed its shop, the two contending sides went spiritual. They earnestly and fervently sought divine intervention. In the midst of this, on Friday, March 22, 2019, the tribunal gave its epoch-making pronouncement. It was a split judgment of 2:1.
It nullified the supplementary election and declared its outcome a crass nullity. The tribunal then went mathematical to make up its mind. Justice Peter Obiora who read the lead judgment said: “By our earlier calculations, the votes affected by non-compliance are; APC 2,029 and PDP 1,246, which we hereby nullify.
“If the above votes are deducted from the scores of the parties as of September 22, 2018 election, the standing of the parties will be APC 254,345 votes minus 2,029 votes equal 253,315. PDP 254,698 votes, minus 1,246 votes, equal 253,452.”
Even if the re-run was allowed, the tribunal painted this picture: “APC 255,505 votes minus 2,029 votes equal 253,476. PDP 255,023 votes minus 1,246 votes equal 253,777.”
The verdict: “In both situations, it is obvious that the petitioners won the election to the Office of the Governor of Osun State.” This brought back the unpleasant memories of the 1979 twelve two thirds saga; this time for the very good reason.
You dare not toy with destiny. You can’t alter it either. It is settled in heaven. The tribunal ruled that a re-run or supplementary, call it by whatever name is complete stranger to law.
Nobody gave Adeleke a chance. But the people insisted on the dancing senator. He was maligned, smeared, run down and vilified. Yet, they would not budge.
The make-believe protest in Osogbo yestereday notwithstanding. That would not the least sway them otherwise. They remain resolutely unshaken. That is the strong spirit behind Adeleke.
They stood by him through thick and thin. They resisted intimidation and blackmail. They had made their free choice through the ballot. They detested imposition with great disdain.
That is why Adeleke would continue to spring surprises even to the end. He is the dancer Osun State zealously yearns for.