By Baron Ike
Senate President Bukola Saraki has regretted that Ademola Adeleke, the new senator for Osun West, who was sworn in on Wednesday, July 12 does not belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
But he has a kind word of advice for Adeleke: “Return to your natural abode.”
On Saturday, July 8 Adeleke won a bye-election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to fill the vacant seat by the sudden death of his elder brother, Isiaka, who had been a member of the APC Senate caucus.
Adeleke had opted to run on the opposition party ticket after alleging a conspiracy by the Osun State leadership of the APC to deny him the ticket in favour of Mudashiru Hussein, an ally of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who eventually lost the election to him as the candidate of the APC.
Adeleke defeated his opponent in nine of the 10 local government areas that constitute the senatorial district.
Saraki expressed sadness that the new senator was arriving as a PDP member instead of APC.
In a press statement captioned: “Welcoming Senator Ademola Adeleke To The Red Chamber,” Saraki expressed disappointment over the events that pushed Adeleke into the PDP.
Saraki said: “I was filled with emotions today as I swore in the brother of late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke as Senator representing Osun West.
“I’m sure that my late friend, his family, good people of Ede and Osun West Senatorial district are delighted that the legacy of “Guv” can continue. I’m sure my departed colleague will, in his grave be happy and filled with joy today and always.
“My only sadness is that Senator Adeleke is not coming as an APC member. This is the result of mishandling of the pre-election matters by our party.
“I hope Senator Ademola Adeleke will very soon, return to his natural fold, the APC, where he rightly belongs.
“I hope this development will serve as an eye opener to our party at all levels that the will of the people must always be respected. We all have a good lesson to learn from this.
“Once again, I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke and I hope he will live up to his brother’s expectations and further uplift the legacy established by their late father, Senator Ayoola Adeleke.”