A former presidential candidate of the defunct National Conscience Party, Chief Martin Onovo, has urged Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to remain confident ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Onovo said Adeleke stood a strong chance of winning re-election if the poll is free, fair and credible.
He gave the advice on Wednesday in Lagos during an interview on the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
Onovo, who is a member of the Coalition of United Political Parties, said the governor should focus on ensuring that votes are protected and properly counted.
According to him, Adeleke’s major challenge is not popularity but the ability to safeguard the electoral process from possible manipulation.
He said engagements with people from different political groups suggested that many political blocs were supportive of Adeleke’s re-election bid.
The former presidential candidate, however, warned the governor against complacency.
He said confidence, preparation and effective vote protection would be critical to the outcome of the election.
Onovo said Adeleke, as the incumbent governor, had advantages that should help him defend his mandate during the election.
He advised the governor not to wait until after the poll to challenge disputed results in court.
According to him, preventing manipulation during voting and collation would be more effective than relying on post-election litigation.
Onovo said the governor must prepare for possible challenges before, during and after the election.
He added that the governor and his supporters should ensure that the process is closely monitored from polling units to collation centres.
The Head of Policy Positions at the Movement for Fundamental Change also said he was willing to provide strategic advice to Adeleke if approached.
He said such support would be offered without conditions.
Onovo expressed concern that the governor appeared to be losing confidence ahead of the poll.
He said Adeleke needed to approach the election with the belief that he could win if the votes are allowed to count.
According to him, fear or hesitation could weaken the governor’s chances.
He said the governor must not concede the political space to the All Progressives Congress out of fear.
Onovo maintained that Adeleke was ahead in the race and should use his position to ensure a credible electoral process.
He said the most important task before the governor was to defend his mandate and ensure that the will of the people is reflected in the final result.
The former presidential candidate said a credible election would give Adeleke a strong opportunity to retain office in Osun State.
