by Kolapo Olapoju

 

As Osun state goes into a frenzy in preparation for the elections of Saturday, 9 August, an unexpected development as risen as the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has withdrawn from Saturday’s election.

Although, the party’s candidate, Ibrahim Adeoti participated in the debate held last week Sunday, 3 August, it is confirmed that the party has pulled out from the race less than 48 hours to election day.

The party attributed its withdrawal from the elections to the flawed process that produced its flag bearer, Ibrahim Adeoti.

It sent a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which was signed by Frederick Fasehun and Abubakar Sokoto, the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, respectively in Abuja.

The letter said in part; “We arrived at this painful but patriotic decision after a thorough investigation of the nomination process of the party’s flag bearer organised by the state chapter of the party. The leadership discovered some flaws that could not be swept under the carpet.”

“We have no option than to withdraw the nomination of our party’s flag bearer and running mate in Osun gubernatorial election. The UPN, therefore, craved the indulgence of the commission to bear with it, saying it was conscious of the likely consequence of its withdrawal in the logistic plans for the election.”

“We will appreciate if you can accept this decision in good faith and use your good office to promptly communicate such to Osun State Electoral Commission and general public. “We will do the same from our end.”

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