We were defeated, not discouraged–KSB, Adeneye

Defeated entertainers take their losses in APC primaries in good faith, CHUX OHAI writes

Rather than moan about their losses in the recent primary elections conducted by the All Progressives Congress in the South West, popular singer Kenny St. Best and fellow aspirant, Dayo Adeneye, aka D1, have pledged their loyalty to the party and promised to push on in their respective political ambitions.

In separate telephone interviews with our correspondent on Thursday, both aspirants expressed no misgiving with the conduct of the elections. primary election.

Although KSB, who was gunning for the party’s ticket to represent Ikeja Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, confessed that she was initially discouraged by the outcome of the election, she had since regained her composure.

“I am not discouraged any more. On the contrary, I am encouraged to push on with my ambition. Besides, we were all vying for only one seat in the House of Assembly. I believe that more positions are vacant at the executive arm of the Lagos State Government. I am hopeful that I will be considered for one of such positions,” she said.

The pretty singer is confident that her concern for the socio-economic empowerment of the youth through the arts and culture sector qualifies her for an appointment from the incoming government in the state.

She vows to pursue her ambition to serve the people of the state, even if she has to wait for another four years.

Promising not to protest the outcome of the APC primary for the state House of Assembly by writing a petition, just like fellow Afro hip hop singer, Abolore Akande, aka 9ice, did a few days ago, KSB says, “Maybe 9ice was ill advised. Quite frankly, we are all still greenhorns in politics. In every political party, there is always a queue and you just cannot jump it. The best thing is to join this queue and if, after due consultation, things work out well, somebody else will have to be displaced in your favour. In my case, there was one vacant seat. But I can’t deny the fact that I met some people who were already queuing for the seat.”

Then, possibly addressing other entertainers who may have lost in the APC primary, she continued, “It is only when you are not properly advised that you start to make unnecessary claims. You know how the APC works. You are not the only one that is a victim of the system. What you should do is to lay the matter to rest. There are still many seats to be filled. All of us want to serve and there is a lot to be done for Nigeria. But it shouldn’t be a do-or-die affair.”

On the other hand, Adeneye said he was not interested in contesting the outcome of the APC primary election for the Ogun State House of Assembly in which he allegedly lost to an aide of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

In reaction to some rumours peddled around the election, Adeneye, aka D1, issued a press statement reiterating his loyalty and commitment to the party. Apparently, he acted to dissociate himself from the rumour-mongers who had earlier implied that he was dissatisfied with the primary.

Adeneye’s statement read in part, “I remain a loyal party man and respecter of the highest principles of my great party, APC. I state that the party is bigger than individual interest but rather greater through our collective interest and my interest in the party remains strong with the biggest ambition to ensure that my Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun returns as the Governor of Ogun state come 2015 and my party, APC wins the presidential election comes February 14, 2015.

“At this point, I want to acknowledge the supports of every one, family, friends, well wishers and mentors who supported us with their time and efforts during the campaign period. I want to assure all of you that I will continue to promote and exhibit the qualities, principles and doctrine of our great party, All Progressive Congress which seeks to CHANGE the game of leadership for the benefit of all Nigerians in 2015.”

It is no longer news that 9ice, who contested for the All Progressives Congress ticket to represent the Ogbomosho South/North and Orire Constituency Federal 1 in the Federal House of Representatives, lost in the primary election to Prince Akeem Oyewumi, son of the Soun of Ogbomosho. But, rather than take his loss in good faith, the popular and award-winning singer decided to protest the outcome.

A few days ago, he released a press statement, stating that he had made known his displeasure with the conduct of the election in a petition to the Oyo State chapter of the APC

The statement, signed by the singer, reads, “I, Abolore Adegbola Akande, an aspirant under All Progressive Congress party contest against the inconclusive primary election that was carried out at Soun Stadium in Ogbomosho North L.G.A. Area of Oyo State.

“There were no ballot boxes and the electoral officers came to the venue at 5:45pm about the same time that an aspirant (Oye Oyewunmi) arrived at the venue. There were no delegate passes and there was no accreditation,

“Ogbomosho North Local Government delegates were not allowed to vote and just two local governments participated during the election – Orire Local Government and Ogbomosho South Local Government, the election was carried out without preparation for lights and other necessaries to ensure smooth election at night.

“I am using this medium to appeal to the committee to render this election null and void with immediate effect. Also, another date and different venue outside the town should be scheduled for a proper and free and fair election at a later date.”

It is clear that 9ice is not willing to let go, having previously embarked on an elaborate campaign strategy to worm his way into the hearts of the electorate in his constituency.