Encomium
+ His war of words with Omisore
THE incumbent governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is also the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday, August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state has explored a social media to up the ante of his campaign for second term. And this has since been working for the engineer turned politician.
The decision to open a Blackebrry Messenger (BBM), ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered from an impeccable source, was informed by the astute politician’s desire to win the hearts of the youths who are the major subscribers of BBM and related devices.
We were further told that the amiable politician heeded the advice of his first son, Kabiru Aregbesola, who we learnt is also the brain behind the introduction of Opon Imo, a tablet being used by Osun secondary and primary school students and pupils, respectively.
The governor was also said to have opened a WhatsApp account. According to the source, his effort on this has also started yielding positive result as many, especially students and upwardly mobile youths in the state have become the friends of the Ilesa, Osun born politician on the social network.
This, we learnt was demonstrated openly at the opening of his public campaign in Ife, Osun State on Friday, May 30, 2014. Aregbesola was reportedly cheered by a very large number of students from different parts of the state who thronged the campaign ground to demonstrate their unflinching support for his second term bid. He was also said to have received royal blessings from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at the rally.
“Aregbesola has adopted the use of BBM to woo the youths in Osun State. And the idea is yielding positive result as many people, especially students have become his friend on BB. He also opened WhatsApp page few days later. I learnt his first son, Kabiru gave him the ideas, which he endorsed after due consultation with his campaign team members. He has since started posting campaign messages few days, and that has been generating reaction within and outside the state.”
Meanwhile, ENCOMIUM Weekly also gathered some of his recent posts on BBM, where he has appealed to the good people of the Home of the Living Spring for their support once again to join hands with him in taking the state to the promised land. Here are some of the posts:
“The single purpose of my government will be to restore hope to our people because I know that together, we can replace impoverishment with abundance, cynicism with conference, disillusionment with optimism, fear with boldness and apathy with mass involvement. Support the good government and invite friends and family to my BBM (2B03CED) and WhatsApp (07032726580), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Osun adara o!”
Another one reads: “To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to share it with. Thank you all for coming to my open campaign. Mere words cannot appreciate you enough. I pray you journey mercies to your various destinations. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Osun adara o!”
He also proceeded further, “As a good leader, I consistently seek for ways of bringing about progress and achievements for my people in every area of their lives. Join the winning team and invite friends and family to my BBM.”
He equally posted why he wants to rule the state again, and that also reads: “My second term is to consolidate on all those achievements as well as lay down a solid foundation for credible governance. Join the winning team and invite family and friends to my BBM and WhatsApp.
“Our approach involves well thought out programmes and policies that will return us to the lost glory of our race and bring back our virtue and pride of purpose.”
However, an inside source alleged that war of words has actually started between the two top contenders for the exalted seat, Aregbesola and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore. According to the source, Aregbesola was said to have thrown jibes at Omisore, describing him as unguided politician. However, the Ife born controversial politician has earlier done similar thing in one of the soft-sell journals (not ENCOMIUM), where he said the Oranmiyan 1 as Aregbesola is fondly addressed was a common thing when he was funding Alliance for Democracy (AD), which later metamorphosed into Action Congress (AC). And a few years after, the party also changed its identity to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which now merged with other progressives to be called All Progressives Congress (APC) now. More and more of verbal and media war would definitely occur as events unfold.
“Now, both Aregbesola and Omisore are day and night. They abuse each other every day at any given opportunity. I learnt that Aregbesola really knocked Omisore few days ago in Osogbo while addressing some party faithful. Likewise Omisore has also called him all sorts of names, all in the interest of the seat at Abere. But with the situation of things right now, the coast is very clear that Aregbesola will govern the state again.”
With the development, it seems APC will have a smooth ride back to the government of the State of Osun in November 2014, and will remain till after another four years, all things being equal.
– TADE ASIFAT
