The noticeable absence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Interior and a former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola at the grand mega rally organised for Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State who is seeking a second tenure is said to be unsettling the ruling party.
It was gathered that the development has unsettled the All-Progressives Congress (APC) chapter of Osun State, days ahead of the July 16 governorship election.
Though several big wigs of the party were present at the campaign finale including a presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Governor Abdulrahaman Abudulrasak of Kwara; Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo; Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, among others.
However, Aregbesola and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were among the big names missing during the mega rally.
While Osinbajo’s reason for the absence might not be known, it was gathered that Aregbesola’s absence might not be unconnected to the ongoing feud between him and his successor, Oyetola.
The Osun State Chapter of APC has been witnessing an internal crisis which has degenerated into two factions, one loyal to Aregbesola and the other one loyal to Oyetola.
It would be recalled that in the primary election that produced Oyetola as the Osun State governorship candidate of APC, Aregbesola threw his weight behind a former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti.
During the build-up to the primary election, Aregbesola had alleged that Oyetola was forced on the people of Osun by Tinubu. The minister called on the party members to end politics of godfatherism and enthronement by voting for his candidate, Adeoti, but it wasn’t going to be as Oyetola recorded a landslide victory.
However, when asked why his principal did not attend the rally, the media adviser to the Interior Minister, Mr Sola Fasure, said Aregbesola was not invited to the event.
Fasure, who also said Aregbesola was not a member of the APC Campaign Council for the Osun poll, further noted that the minister was attending an official event in Lagos on Tuesday.
A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, Aregbesola’s body language since losing out with his preferred candidate has been giving the party headaches.
The source pointed out that the minister has been ignoring public functions of the party, a situation which could affect the chances of Oyetola in the upcoming election. He said the many members of the party are worried about the possibility of Aregbesola stabbing Oyetola to support another candidate in the election.
Meanwhile, while addressing a mammoth crowd at the Mega rally held at the Osogbo Township Stadium on Tuesday, Lawan, lauded Oyetola’s prudence and efficiency in managing the state’s meagre resources, calling on citizens to look beyond political sentiments in their choice of who to elect and to vote massively for Oyetola.
In his words, “I’m bringing solidarity from the National Assembly. We are believers of this party and its candidate because Osun has witnessed a serious and massive transformation in the last three and a half years.
“We have a governor who is prudent and efficient in the face of very meagre resources. Today, Osun has witnessed so much infrastructural development, political stability and peace. We believe that we have everything we need for development with this our Governor”.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the mega rally was an indication that the APC was not taking any chances with the affairs of Osun, saying the State deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development.
Adamu said: “This is a mega rally to promote our candidate. We are taking no chances with the affairs of Osun because the state deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development. This is why we have come in full strength to support him in a bid to ensure his re-election. Those who have a fair mind will testify that he has done so much since he became governor in 2018.
“We are here not only to testify to what he has done but to appeal to you to turn out in large numbers to vote massively for him. We are anticipating a better outcome than what we had in Ekiti and by the grace of God, we are sure of victory. I want you to be the APC ambassadors, telling those who are not here what you have seen. Continue to spread the good works of this government in the nooks and crannies of the state.”
