'Take Heart, Politics Is A Betting Game' — Ero-Arike Consoles APC Supporters
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, has consoled members of the party and its supporters to remain calm and take heart following the party’s defeat in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election. Ero-Arike, in a message shared on social media, described politics as a “betting game” in which […]
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Falilat Yusuf, popularly known as Ero-Arike, has consoled members of the party and its supporters to remain calm and take heart following the party’s defeat in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election. Ero-Arike, in a message shared on social media, described politics as a “betting game” in which victory and defeat could depend on luck, urging APC supporters not to lose hope over the election outcome. “I want to speak on the issue reigning in town. That is how politics is. It is a betting game. It depends on luck,” she said. She recalled her experience during the 2018 Osun governorship election, saying she supported the Adeleke family despite the eventual victory of the APC candidate, Gboyega Oyetola. “The first election between Gboyega Oyetola and Nurudeen Jackson, I supported the Adelekes. I stood for them and they cannot deny that. But we were defeated and Oyetola became governor. “There was no threat of any kind to my life. They had no idea that I would still join them,” she added. Addressing APC supporters over the party’s latest defeat, Ero-Arike urged them not to be discouraged, stressing that electoral contests could produce different outcomes. “Now, to all APC supporters, please take heart. That is how politics is. Politics is a betting game. Politicians will fight. APC will fight PDP. PDP will also fight APC . It all depends on luck,” she said. OSUN DEFENDER reports that Ero-Arike had been a controversial figure in the APC’s campaign in the build-up to the election. She came under criticism over several social media appearances in which she vigorously canvassed support for the party, including videos where she was seen sharing bags of rice and other items with residents, as well as making remarks that attracted public attention and controversy. Despite the defeat, she expressed confidence in the APC governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, saying he would not be discouraged by the outcome. “I know Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji won’t lose hope because he is not the first to be defeated. And despite the defeat, we still love him. We are right behind him. “By God’s grace, he will also become Osun governor,” she added. Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.