Encomium
-Over Osun guber election
OSUN governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is said to be jittery at the moment on account of the woeful performance of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded governorship elections in Ekiti State.
ENCOMIUM Weekly was informed by a reliable source that the engineer turned politician has upped the ante of his campaign for the forthcoming guber polls. This, we learnt, was informed by the disgraceful defeat of his party by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday, June 21, 2014 Ekiti governorship elections.
The source further disclosed that Aregbesola has begun serious consultation with top traditional rulers in the state, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II; Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Tajudeen Olanipekun (Laroye II); Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola (Laminita 1) and others, seeking their support for Saturday, August 9, 2014 gubernatorial elections in the state.
The governor, in company of other party leaders, including Chief Bisi Akande, was also said to have visited former governor and PDP chieftain, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in his Okuku, Osun palatial home a couple of days ago on similar mission.
Aregbesola, the source said, has also formed fresh campaign committees at all local governments in the state. The major function of the committees, we were told, is to create a strong link between himself and the people at the grassroots, all to avoid a repeat of what happened to his Ekiti counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
“Aregbesola can’t afford to lose the governorship seat. He doesn’t want what happened in Ekiti to happen in Osun. I learnt he has started fresh consultation with the Obas, especially the first class ones. Just of recent, he paid a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Tajudeen Olanipekun. I learnt he has also paid similar visits to Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adeola, and they have all given him their royal blessings. Although, some people believed money might have exchanged hands, I can’t confirm that. All I know is that the governor had visited some of these top monarchs.
“Also, I learnt he had another meeting with Oyinlola about five or six days ago. I learnt Chief Bisi Akande was also in attendance. The party is afraid because of how it was floored by PDP in Ekiti. I learnt all the party leaders in the state are now running from pillar to post, romancing those at the grassroots, civil servants and teachers.
“But with Aregbesola’s performances so far, I think he stands the chance of defeating Omisore, no matter the campaign of vendetta against him.”
ENCOMIUM Weekly’s efforts to get Aregbesola’s reaction via his Director, Bureau de Publicity, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon was unsuccessful as all the calls put through his mobile phone were ignored. We also sent him a text message but it wasn’t replied as at press time.
However, a party chieftain, Mr. Wole Adegbenjo, who ENCOMIUM Weekly later got across to on Monday, June 30, 2014, said all is well with Aregbesola and APC in the state. He added that the party will disgrace Peoples Democratic Party come August 9, 2014.
“We have no reason to panic because APC lost in Ekiti. Ekiti guber elections couldn’t be said to be free and fair or seen as the reflection of what happened at the polling centres. But I am assuring you, no matter what PDP may plan to do, APC will retain Osun State.
“Aregbesola can’t be jittery as being bandied. That’s the imagination of the people from the opposition party. They’re the ones being intimidated by the acceptance of Aregbesola by the people of Osun State on account of his brilliant performance. We’re on ground, and we will meet at the polls come August 9, 2014.
“The fact that a governor visited a traditional ruler doesn’t mean he is wooing him for support because of election. We’re still campaigning and there is nothing wrong if we visit traditional rulers during the campaign. Aregbesola launched his open campaign in Ife, he was endorsed by Ooni of Ife right at the nose of Omisore. That means Aregbesola has respect for culture and tradition that’s why the Ooni accepted and gave him his royal blessings. Why didn’t Omisore try that? I am sure he would have been disgraced. What’s important is that Aregbesola is an omoluabi, not a thug. That’s why he is bold enough to visit any place. And he is a grassroots politician as well. He has no reason to fear or panic.
“He enjoys the support of all the workers in the state, including teachers. Just recently, he paid their salaries. He doesn’t owe anybody. The only reason for the delay in May salary was because the allocation from the Federal Government didn’t come as expected. I learnt it was deliberately delayed to frustrate him. Even, I also learnt that the state’s allocation had been cut down to N2.5 billion from N4.5 billion, all to frustrate his government but yet he is not intimidated. He has a good and clean record. That alone will speak for him at the polls.”
Reacting to the tale, Omisore told ENCOMIUM Weekly, via his spokesperson, Diran Odeyemi that Aregbesola is only being economical with the truth. He added that the incumbent governor is experiencing sleepless nights at the moment over what occurred in Ekiti elections.
“What do you expect from Aregbesola? He is running helter skelter now but all his strategies can’t guarantee him victory. If he likes, let him consult the oracle, the oracle can’t be at his back to save him on the day of elections. Osun people are not fools. All the obas have endorsed Omisore, he is a prince and he also respects tradition. There is no way he won’t defeat Aregbesola by 80 per cent of the votes on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
“We’re aware that he is also consulting Oyinlola. The man can never decamp to APC. He has forgotten the Yoruba adage which says we can’t come back from court and be friends again. That’s not possible. Aregbesola is a joker. He would be defeated hands down.
“Can you imagine a governor delaying workers salaries till campaign period before he starts paying? Does he think Osun people are not aware of what is happening in the state?
“August 9, 2014, is the day to pay him back. And I am sure he would be disappointed at the polls. All his die-minute moves can’t save him, he should go and ask Fayemi. He will soon be in his shoes. His days in Abere are numbered.
-TADE ASIFAT
