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  • APC primary: Rauf Aregbesola speaks out after losing ward to Oyetola

    APC primary: Rauf Aregbesola speaks out after losing ward to Oyetola

    The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed displeasure over the conduct of Saturday governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun.

    Aregbesola, who was absent at his Ifofin Ward 8 in Ilesa East Local Government area, expressed his displeasure in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, on Saturday.

    The statement, entitled: “Hold Your Heads High” was issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, saying that he had heard how the party’s registration cards were being hawked to the supporters of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola.

    Oyetola won by 309 votes against 146 votes recorded for Moshood Adeoti, the candidate supported by Aregbesola in the later’s Ward in Ilesa.

    The minister said he also received reports of how accreditation was not done at all in many wards.

    He also alleged that people without the party’s identification cards, participated in the primary and queued behind the governor in many polling units.

    Aregbesola, however, urged his supporters to maintain their cool and calm.

    According to him, you have demonstrated your loyalty to the party and democratic ideals.

    “You adopted a non-violent posture, even, in the face of sore provocation. You have comported yourselves as Omoluabi in the true essence.

    “We have received and continue to receive the reports of the shenanigans of the officials who conducted the sham of an election.

    “We have been inundated with reports statewide of how your names were expunged from the party’s voter’s register.

    “This was not made available until this morning, contrary to the convention of making the list available to the candidates before the election.

    “We have heard of how party registration cards were being hawked this morning to the supporters of the state governor.

    “We have received the reports from our members and independent observers of how government officials and notable supporters of the governor officiated in the election.

    “We have heard of the absence of result sheets and other vital documents for recording results and vital data,” Aregbesola said.

    The minister said his camp also noted the absence of INEC officials in most wards, casting serious doubt on the credibility of the election.

    “We note with shame and much regret the consternation of local and international observers on what they regard as a travesty of an election. Be not downcast, be not agitated. Hold your head high.

    “We are still receiving and studying all these reports and will take a definitive position on them. You are urged not to take laws into your hands.

    “Please leave the rest to the Almighty God and let us explore all peaceful and legal means for addressing the matter in order to obtain justice.

    “Please remain committed to peace and the rule of law. Be unflinching in your commitment to the democratic ideals.

    “Democracy is for the long haul. As you all know, we never tire and we never give up on the cause we believe in,” he said.

    The two other main aspirants battling for the governorship ticket of the party are: Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, a former Secretary to the State Government and Lasun Yusuf, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    Aregbesola, also a the immediate past Governor in the state, had declared his support for Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oyetola is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second term bid.

  • Oyetola, Aregbesola’s loyalists express mixed feelings over Osun primary

    Oyetola, Aregbesola’s loyalists express mixed feelings over Osun primary

    Supporters of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and that of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, have expressed mixed feelings on the conduct of the Saturday governorship primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

    While Oyetola’s supporters described the exercise as peaceful and impressive, Aregbesola’s faction said the exercise was full of irregularities.

    Commenting, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Benedict Alabi, described the exercise as peaceful, while the turn out was impressive.

    Alabi, at his Ward 006 in Ikire, Irewole Isokan Local Government area, said the party members were orderly and that there was no reported cases of violence.

    “I am happy we have a peaceful, free and fair primary.

    “The fact is that there is only one candidate that is contesting the primary in Osun and that is the incumbent governor.

    “We have the other faction with two aspirants, but they are not visible here,” the deputy governor said.

    Also, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, commended the impressive turn out as well the peaceful conduct of the primary.

    Oyebamiji, who spoke at his Ward 009 in Ikire, lauded the efforts of security operatives for ensuring peaceful atmosphere for the primary.

    The commissioner said he was confident that Oyetola would emerge the winner of the primary.

    Meanwhile, the factional Chairman of the party, loyal to Aregbesola, Razak Sanisile, said the primary was “full of anomalies” .

    Salinsile told newsmen at his Ward 004, Isale-Oba in Iwo Local Government Area of the state, that the party’s register was not made available to them.

    “Up till today, we have not seen the register of the party, which is against the rule of the game.

    “At least, each of the spirant is expected to have a copy of the register of members, but none of them has it.

    “We raised it at the stakeholders’ meeting at the party secretariat.

    “Many of our supporters cannot find their names on the register.

    “All these anomalies will tell on the outcome of the election.

    “I see it as a mere exercise, a waste of time and resources,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of Ward 008, Ilesa East Local Government, Adegoke Saheed, a loyalist of Aregbesola, said the process was full of irregularities.

    Saheed alleged that the party’s register used for the primary was different from the one used during the registration, pointing out that names of their members were missing on the register.

    He said the absence of Aregbesola, whom he claimed was on an official assignment by President Muhammadu Buhari, did not allow his complaint to receive attention.

    “It was in the morning we learnt that Rauf Aregbesola has gone for an official assignment given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “That is why he was not around to monitor or participate in the process.

    “If the minister has been around, they will listen to him with all my complaints. They wouldn’t have used the power of incumbency they used,” Saheed said.

    However, the Chairman of the Primary Committee, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

    AbdulRazak, who spoke to newsmen while monitoring the exercise in Iragbiji, lauded the party members for their impressive turn out and peaceful conduct.

    He said that peaceful conduct contradicted the expectations of many over the exercise.

    “Let me congratulate the people of Osun State and members APC.

    “What is happening here shows that the party is alive and strong. You can see that from the huge turnout.

    “If you open the pages of newspapers today, what was painted was a picture of war in Osun.

    “But, the primary election has been peaceful. I congratulate the people of Osun and all the aspirants. They have all done well,” he said.

    In his reactions, the Chairman, Elders Council for APC in Ife Central, Prince Felix Awofisayo, said: “Everything went on smoothly at my centre.

    “There is no rancour, no fighting and no acrimony, both the accreditation and election went on peacefully and it was free and fair election.”

    He urged the people of Osun to vote for the candidate of APC during the forthcoming governorship election coming up on July 16.

    Awofisayo made the plea while casting his vote at Ife Girls High School, Iremo Ward 11, Eleyele in Ile-Ife.

    He thanked the party members for their supports, saying that they all behaved well during the election.

    Awofisayo said, “Let’s try to maintain the peace and orderliness of today on July 16, 2022, during the governorship election when we will make our final decision.”

    Also, an APC stalwart, Benjamin Adereti, said that since all the contestants are from APC, they have no choice than to jointly worked together.

    Adereti said the accreditation and election were peaceful, the voters were for growth and progress of Ile-Ife, Osun and Nigeria at large.

    He commended all those that participated in the election, including journalists and security agencies for their meaningful contributions to the success of the primary.

    Also, Mr Wole Omotosho, who spoke on behalf of a faction of APC, said that election has come and gone and thanked God for allowing peace to reign.

    Omotosho commended the citizenry for maintaining peace during and after the election, saying that if thing should continue this way, democracy would stand forever across the country.

    He called on party supporters to behave well in an orderly manner on July 16, so as to have the best man elected as the governor of the state.

  • I‘ll emerge victorious in Osun Governorship primary – Oyetola

    I‘ll emerge victorious in Osun Governorship primary – Oyetola

    One of the contestants in the Saturday Governorship primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, says with God on his side, he will win.

    Oyetola, while commended members of the party for turning out in large numbers, said, “losing is not an option for a man commissioned by God for an assignment”.

    Oyetola made the assertions, while speaking with newsmen at his Iragbiji country home, Boripe Local Government Area of the state.

    According to him, by the grace of God, I will emerge victorious. To us, losing is not an option for a man commissioned by God for an assignment.

    “I just want to appeal to all our people across the state to maintain peace.

    “Election process should not be a battlefield or a do-or-die affair.

    “Let everyone exercise his/her right to choose in determining who represents them at the party level and ultimately at the general elections.

    “So far, so good, I think this process has gone well, contrary to the speculations of violence.

    “We have been in contact with a number of places and we have received positive signals of peace.

    “Really, I don’t see why choosing a candidate to represent the party should be a thing of violence,” he said.

    Oyetola also commended the party members for conducting themselves peacefully.

    He said that the peaceful conduct of the primary election testified to the fact that Osun remains the most peaceful state in the country.

    The governor said that the news of violence making the rounds were mere speculations.

    Oyetola, however, appealed to the citizens across the state to maintain peace and decorum, saying that elections should not be a battle.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two other main aspirants battling for the governorship ticket of the party are: Alhjaji Moshood Adeoti, a former Secretary to the State Government and Lasun Yusuf, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    NAN also reports that the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, also a the immediate past Governor in the state, had declared his support for Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oyetola is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second term bid.

    The moves in the camps of the two leaders had heightened tension in the political situation in the state.

  • Osun: Rauf Aregbesola vows to work against Oyetola’s reelection

    Osun: Rauf Aregbesola vows to work against Oyetola’s reelection

    Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past governor of Osun and current Minister of Interior, on Thursday vowed to work against the reelection of his successor, Gboyega Oyetola.

    Aregbesola said this at a political gathering in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary on Saturday would determine Oyetola’s fate in office.

    According to reports Aregbesola is at loggerheads with Gov Oyetola.

    Aregbesola has declared his support for the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.

    Oyetola, on his part, is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second-term bid, and moves in the camps of the two leaders have heightened tensions in the state.

    Aregbesola, who spoke in Yoruba, said Oyetola had been in battle with him since assumption of office.

    He said, “Those we assisted are now against us and we have reported them to God. He (Oyetola) will not return for second term.

    “Saturday’s primary election will determine his fate. The party has already said that we should conduct election after four years.

    “I campaigned passionately for him under the rain, but he is now my enemy. I begged him for two years and even sent people to him but he refused. Everything we did together for eight years, he destroyed.

    “When I saw that he was firm on this enmity, I told God about it. Even if Bola Ige comes back to this earth, he will join us,” he said.

    Aregbesola, who urged the people to vote massively for Adeoti on the July 16 gubernatorial election, said he (Adeoti) did not insult or speak against him when he was angry with the party.

    But the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, said Aregbesola is not God and cannot determine the fate of his principal.

    Omipidan said that his principal had absolute faith in God and the people of Osun, adding that in the last three years plus, the people can tell the difference in terms of responsible and responsive governance and politics.

    He said, “The general belief among most Africans that a man’s life is preordained and ruled by God, has continued to play out in the political trajectory of Oyetola.

    “From 2011 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to 2018 when, against all odds, he emerged, first as the candidate of the APC, and later, Governor of the State, at a time when many thought it was all over for him, it was obvious that he was on a divine political course.

    “My Principal has absolute faith in God and the people of Osun. In these last three years plus, the people can tell the difference in terms of responsible and responsive governance and politics.

    “Therefore, it is God and Osun people that will determine Oyetola’s fate, not an individual trying to play God,” Omipidan said.

    Also, the Chairman of Osun APC Elders’ Caucus, popularly known as ‘Igbimo Agba’, Mr Sola Akinwumi, condemned Aregbesola’s attitude, describing it a display of thuggery and hooliganism that is unbefitting of his personality.

    Akinwumi said this while receiving the governor at his residence in Ilobu, Irepodun Loca Government Area of the state.

    Akinwumi, who noted that Aregbesola was acting like a baby politician, commended Gov. Oyetola for his display of maturity and competence in handling the matter.

    He called on the aggrieved members of the ruling party to return to the party and stop being deceived by those who have nothing to offer them.

    Akinwumi noted that the APC remains one and united family in the State, saying anyone doing otherwise is just a joker of the century.

  • Osun gov, Oyetola says confident of re-election victory

    Osun gov, Oyetola says confident of re-election victory

    The Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot threaten his second term ambition.

    The governor who stated this on Friday in Abuja after submitting his form at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said his achievements of the past three years is there for everyone to see.

    Oyetola claimed the ruling APC remained the party to beat in the forthcoming election in the state

    His words, “Well I can talk about my party the APC, it remains the party to beat anytime, any day. I don’t see them having any extraordinary chance of doing what we are doing.

    The work and infrastructure that we have done are there for everyone to see. We have also received so many ratings from the people who are to decide in terms of what we have been able to do.”

    The governor stressed that his background in the private sector prepared him very well for the job, saying rather than lamenting the paucity of funds, he had to be creative in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

    He added: “First of all, let’s give credit to the almighty God. Given my background in the private sector, I was well prepared for this job. Running a government is like running an enterprise, the only difference is that one is for profit-making while the other is for service. If you get your variables right it will look so easy. That is why I can’t be lamenting about the paucity of funds. I only have to look for creative ways of delivering on the mandate given to me by the people.”

    Oyetola said as part of his determination to serve the people, his government set up a micro-credit agency that disburses loans to SMEs.

    Oyetola said his government has been paying the salaries and pensions of the people on a monthly basis since the inception of his administration.

    “We have actually supported our people in the areas of agriculture and health schemes for the less privileged and vulnerable. Taking care of the vulnerable using the social register.”

    The governor noted that his government has revitalized 320 primary health care centres across the state, stressing that the intention was to ensure that the people have access to health care by having at least a health care centre per ward.

    Oyetola said all the general hospitals in the state have been fixed, while health insurance schemes to take care of the vulnerable have been set up to ensure no one in the state is denied access to quality health services because he or she does not have money.

  • Osun 2022: Be wary of enemies within, cleric counsels Oyetola

    Osun 2022: Be wary of enemies within, cleric counsels Oyetola

    Islamic cleric, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello on Sunday, advised Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to be wary of enemies within ahead of the 2022 governorship poll.

    Sheikh Bello spoke in Ikire at the Islamic Life Time Award and launch of an Islamic Hospital, organised by United Imams and Khateeb, Irewole Local Government, Ikire, where the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji bagged an Islamic lifetime award.

    In his message at the event, Bello also charged all those working with the governor to remain loyal and give their total support for him to realise his second term ambition.

    He said, “Continue what you are doing, your great works will speak for your re-election. We are aware of what you are doing. Just continue to believe in God, He is your strength, He will not forsake you.

    “My advice for you is to be wary of enemies within. God will make you succeed, you will conquer them and come out victorious. For those that are working with you, they must remain loyal. They must support you wholeheartedly particularly on your second term ambition. God will answer your prayers. You will triumph over all those plotting against your ambition.”

    In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ismail Omipidan, on Sunday, Oyetola who lauded the Finance Commissioner, Oyebamiji for impacting the lives of the people, pledged that his administration would continue to support his vision.

    He also said, “Let’s continue to ensure peace and maintain the relatively peaceful atmosphere around the state. It is time for us to be more security conscious ever than before. It is time for us to cultivate skills acquisition, vocational and technical skills. This is the way to go.”

     

  • Pandora Papers: I’ve no link with alleged London property – Gov. Oyetola

    Pandora Papers: I’ve no link with alleged London property – Gov. Oyetola

    Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun on Saturday in Osogbo described a report linking him to the purchase of a property in London as unfounded and untrue.

    The publication alleged that Oyetola bought a mansion worth 11.95 million Euros in London from a company belonging to Kola Aluko, a Nigerian businessman, who is being tried for money laundering.

    The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said in a statement that the governor resigned from the company, Aranda Overseas Corporation’’ that was allegedly used to buy the said property in 2011.

    Oyetola’s resignation from the company, he added, was consequent upon his appointment as Chief of Staff to immediate past Gov. Rauf Aregbesola.

    He stated also that Oyetola had no relationship whatsoever with Aluko, the alleged owner of the said property, let alone have any business transaction with him.

    He noted that the governor did not break any law as he equally resigned his directorship of Global Investments Offshore Ltd. upon his appointment, in 2011.

    He added that Gov. Oyetola thanked family, friends and associates, who had shown concern through phone calls, visits and text messages over the development, assuring them that there was nothing to worry about.

    The statement read partly: “we have seen reports in some online media platforms concerning the PANDORA PAPERS’ allegations.

    “This is, therefore, to set the record straight.

    “Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, governor of Osun State, resigned his directorship of Aranda Overseas Corporation in 2011, when he took up political appointment. He also surrendered his shareholding of the same company.

    “Since 2011 till date, he has had no association, dealings and business transactions with the said company, as he is neither a director nor a shareholder of the said company.

    “He, therefore, could not have acquired the said property in 2017 either directly or through the said company as being alleged.

    “As a matter of fact, Oyetola has no relationship or link with the alleged owner of the property, Mr Kolawole Aluko, let alone go into a business dealing or transaction with him.

    “He also complied fully with the law of the land by exiting Global Investments Offshore Ltd. as a Director in 2011, upon his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola.

    “While we appreciate family members, friends, associates and well-wishers for their show of concern over the development, we assure them that there is nothing to worry about.

    “Mr Oyetola has always shown that he is a man who knows and respects the law in his corporate and political endeavours.’’

  • REVEALED: How Osun Gov. Oyetola bought Tinubu’s mansion in London from Diezani’s associate

    REVEALED: How Osun Gov. Oyetola bought Tinubu’s mansion in London from Diezani’s associate

    Pandora Papers, an investigation led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), has exposed the secrets behind the London mansion of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    PREMIUM TIMES is the only Nigerian newspaper among 150 news organisations that have direct access to a trove of almost 12 million confidential files on the illicit wealth of some of the most powerful persons on earth.

    In previous reports, PREMIUM TIMES exposed how some influential Nigerians, including former Governor Peter Obi, Senator Stella Oduah, and Governor Atiku Bagudu hid stolen wealth overseas.

    In the latest investigation, the secret tax haven of Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, who is a relation of Tinubu, were exposed.

    According to the report, the mansion where Tinubu, who is currently in London, has been receiving top politicians and high-profile personalities, is embroiled in a multi-billion fraud scandal.

    The report said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari had actually secured a freezing order on the property from a Federal High Court before the previous owner, who is now an international fugitive, sold it at a huge discount to an offshore company owned Oyetola.

    The expanse 6,975 sq ft property is situated at 32 Grove End Road, in the wealthy Westminster neighbourhood of London.

    According to an advert brochure of the property released by popular United Kingdom real estate company, Savills, the estate is made up of two buildings – a five-bedroom property with a formal reception, a study, a master bedroom with an en suite dressing room, bathroom and a cinema suite with a balcony overlooking the rear garden.

    Two of the other four bedrooms in the property are en suite. The second building on the estate is a self-contained two-bedroom flat which is built above the property’s double length garage. The property has a gym, two guest cloakrooms, a carriage driveway that can park up to eight cars, and front and rear gardens, and an electric gate.

    “Documents obtained from the UK property register revealed that in July 2013, the property with title number 340992, was bought for £11.95 million by Zavlil Holdings Ltd, a shell company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, a notorious tax haven,” PREMIUM TIMES said in its report.

    “Documents revealed that Zavlil Holdings Limited is owned by Kolawole Aluko, an international fugitive wanted by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and the United States for money laundering.

    “Kola Aluko and his associate, Jide Omokore, were indicted in the U.S. and Nigeria for multi-million-dollar fraud and money laundering violations allegedly in collusion with a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    “In 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria filed a Mareva injunction at a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking to confiscate a list of properties belonging to Messrs Aluko and Omokore valued at $1.8 billion.

    “A Mareva injunction is a Court order which freezes the assets of a defendant pending the outcome of a litigation.

    “In the suit against Messrs Omokore and Aluko, alongside their companies, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, the Nigerian Government asked the court to grant it seven orders to prevent the accused from disposing the assets. The government alleged they were acquired through fraudulent means.

    “The court granted the government all its prayers. In October 2017, an attempt by the defendants to dismiss the Mareva injunction granted on the properties was subsequently dismissed by Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, the trial judge.”

    The report said shortly after the court granted the order, Aluko sold the house for £9 million to Aranda Overseas Corporation, an offshore company incorporated in the British Virgins Island by two of Mr Tinubu’s most trusted surrogates – Oyetola, formerly chair of Paragon Group of Companies, and Elusanmi Eludoyin, who succeeded Oyetola at Paragon.

    “The huge discount at which the property was sold is curious and raised questions of whether Mr Aluko desperately needed to sell the property even while a court of law had placed a freeze order on it,” the report read.

    “The United Kingdom, especially the greater London area, is noted for rapid increase in the value of properties.”

    How public photos were used to confirm Identity of the London villa

    In the application filed by the Nigerian government, the house number of the property on Grove End Road was omitted. However, PREMIUM TIMES’ extensive investigation in Nigeria and the U.K., including a detailed analysis of photographs of visits to Tinubu, has shown that the APC leader is staying at the same property the Nigerian government wants forfeited.

    “We were also able to determine that it was at the same property that Mr Tinubu welcomed Mr Buhari on August 12 as well as other politicians who visited him.

    “Our reporters carefully analysed some of the photos of these visits. Sources close to Mr Tinubu also confirmed that he stays and welcomes guests, including Mr Buhari, at the property.

    Federal lawmakers with Tinubu at his London Mansion

    “Two photos of the visit of Mr Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, were particularly helpful in making the initial connections,” the report read.

    PREMIUM TIMES said it put its findings to Tunde Rahman, spokesperson of Tinubu, but he promised to get back within 24 hours, however, he had not done so as of the time the story was published.

    Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesman, was also contacted, according to the newspaper, but he promised to respond, just like Rahman did but he never fulfilled his words.

  • JUST IN: Robbers attack commercial bank close to Gov Oyetola’s hometown in Osun

    JUST IN: Robbers attack commercial bank close to Gov Oyetola’s hometown in Osun

    Armed robbers on Tuesday attacked a commercial bank in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.

    According to reports, daredevil robbers stormed the bank located around the Oniyere area via the Palace of the hometown of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola around 3:12 pm.

    It was learnt that the robbers were shooting into the air to scare the residents.

    Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident.

    Opalola said the police are on their way to the scene as at the time of filing this report.

    It is TNG reports that the robbery incident is coming weeks after robbers stormed some commercial banks in the state.

     

  • Osun: Gov. Oyetola opens door to PDP members as Sen. Adeleke returns, declares governorship bid

    Osun: Gov. Oyetola opens door to PDP members as Sen. Adeleke returns, declares governorship bid

    Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has pleaded with prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to join the ruling All Progressives Congress’, APC’s bid to develop the state.

    This development, TheNewsGuru(TNG) gathered, is in reaction to the threat posed by the return of Oyetola’s biggest political rival, Ademola Adeleke, a former senator and ex-governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2018 gubernatorial poll in Osun, who has declared interest to contest the next election in the state.

    Speaking while receiving PDP decampees led by a former lawmaker, Mrs Funmilayo Olasinde-Mustapha into the APC at the Freedom Park in Osogbo on Wednesday, Oyetola said the opposition party has nothing to campaign against his administration as he has resolved all issues raised during the electioneering campaign in 2018.

    “Credible members of the PDP who want the progress of the state should join us now, our doors are still open. There is nothing you can use to campaign against us. All these issues raised in 2018 have been resolved. We pay full salary and pension promptly. We build primary health centre in each ward of the state and we building roads.

    “In fact, we commence road rehabilitation at the headquarters of the opposition in Ede. We are governing Osun with God’s wisdom not by our might. When we complete this term, by the grace of God, we will win another election come 2022”, he said.

    Hon. Funmilayo, who was also a former council chairman, led her supporters from the Ila Federal Constituency, comprising Ila, Boluwaduro and Ifedayo and other seven councils in the state, into the party.

    She noted that she left PDP because of its protracted crisis, saying a party that could not fix its challenges could certainly not fix that of the State.

    She added that Oyetola’s achievements in just three years despite the financial challenges were worthy of emulation.

    In his remark, APC caretaker Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun noted that the APC is still the party to beat in the state, saying PDP, after almost three years could not fault the administration’s policy except body shaming him, (Famodun).

    Others prominent dignitaries at the defection rally include wife of the Governor, Kafayat Oyetola of Osun, the Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, former deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Bashiru.

    Sources close to the governor who spoke to TNG under condition of anonymity, disclosed that the move to woo PDP members into Oyetola’s party is to counter Ademola Adeleke’s return to the state.

    “Oyetola needs to solidify his political structure now more than ever. You are aware that there is an intra-party crisis ongoing between the governor and his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola over the control of the party in the state; more disturbing is the return of Sen. Ademola Adele who has been majorly domiciled in the United States after losing election in 2018.

    ‘Adeleke has not just returned to Osun he has also thrown his hat into the ring of the state’s governorship election come 2022. This is not a time for us to be spectators, the governor had to consolidate his political support base, and he has shown that he is capable of doing that” Says Source.

    Ademola, who is a younger brother to the first civilian governor of the state, Isiaka Adeleke, declared his intention on Tuesday, September 7, in Osogbo, the capital of the state.