Adeleke’s death: New voters can’t partake in bye-election – INEC

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it was not officially aware of the death of the senator Isiaka Adeleke, who is the first civilian governor in Osun State.

Adeleke who represented Osun West at the Nigeria Senate died on Sunday .

The Executive Secretary of the INEC in Osun State, Barr. Emmanuel Ademusire, said this at a press conference to announce the flag-off of voters registeration in the state on Thursday.

He explained that those who will be registering afresh with the commission may not be eligible to partake in Adeleke’s bye-election.

He said, “Voting has its process. We have heard that he is dead but as INEC we are not yet notified officially. The political party will notify the National Assembly and thereafter the National Assembly will notify us.

“He is in the eight assembly and any voter who could not vote then may not be eligible to vote now. This is because the process for new registration may not meet up. We have already published the number of registered voters in the eight assembly.”

Earlier, Ademusire asked for a minute silence in honour of the deceased, who he described as being impactful for the progress of Osun State.

He, however, urged residents of Osun State to participate actively in the registration process.

He also appealed to the Osun State Government to assist in the mobilisation of Osun indigenes in other part of Nigeria.

“The government can also organise free transportation as it usually does during festive period for people to come and partake in the process,” he added.

Meanwhile, Osun state government officials, led by the deputy Governor, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori, on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Senator Adeleke, at his Ede country home.

Mrs Laoye-Tomori who was among the people at the Saturday event, where the late senator appeared publicly last, was seen in company of the chief of staff to the state government, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, The secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and others.

Received by the siblings of the late politicians Dr Deji Adeleke and Mrs Module Adeleke Sanni, the deputy governor who signed a condolence register opened at the deceased house, described his death as shocking.

Mrs Laoye-Tomori who expressed sadness over the incidence, prayed that God grant the family, the people of Ede and the state at large the fortitude to bear the loss.

She also prayed that the late former governor, find eternal peace.