Barring last minute resolution, the camps of Governor Gboyega Oyetola and that of Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola are set for parallel anniversaries on November 27 in Osun State.
While Oyetola will be celebrating second anniversary in office, the camp of Aregbesola have concluded plans to mark the 10th anniversary of progressive government in the State.
The atmosphere is already tense as associates of Aregbesola have vowed not to back down on the plan to hold their anniversary.
In another development, Senator representing Osun Central, Ajibola Basiru on Monday signed a memo where he invited public to a lecture slated for November 27, to mark 10th anniversary of progressive government at a venue in Osogbo, the state Capital.
The programme is organized by APC members in the National Assembly.
He said “the lecture is a form of social awareness and sensitization for the good people of Osun to know and appreciate the impacts and benefits of the state’s administration under our Progressive party”.
Speaking on the development, Media Adviser to Aregbesola, Sola Fasure told Tribune, that he believed the “invitation on the celebration of 10 years of unbroken progressive governance in the state should have got to the incumbent governor by now.”
According to him, “the celebration includes eight years of Aregbesola’s tenure and two years of the current administration. Is there anything wrong with that? Sincerely, I don’t even think we should be debating that.
“Like I said, it is 10 years of progressive administration which started with him as governor in 2010 and ended in 2018. It also includes two years of the present government. So, why would he now bring in thugs to disrupt the state?
“If he is celebrating 10 years of his tenure and that of his successor, which is an offshoot of his own tenure, why would he plan to disrupt it? It is just pure mischief to say he is planning to disrupt the state, a state for which he laboured. He spent four years to reclaim his mandate from PDP; then he spent eight years as governor, so why will he now be destabilising the state.
“I don’t think there is any crisis between the governor and the minister. His relationship with the governor is cordial. They speak regularly irrespective of what you hear in the media. They also belong to the same political family of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“The 10th year of that administration is significant, symbolic and it is worth celebrating. I also believe that Governor Oyetola is also part of it. Those accusing the minister of plotting to destabilise the state are mischief makers because the relationship between Aregbesola and Oyetola is cordial.”
Reacting to Fasure’s comment, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan said neither his principal nor the party is aware of the other anniversary.
He said, “Neither the party nor my principal was aware of the proposed celebration of 10th year anniversary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.
“The only thing I know is that we are planning our second year anniversary. I am a member of the committee. The party in the State also has representatives in that committee. There is no such programme in our lineup. Can you shave someone’s head behind him?
“Fasure is being economical with the truth by saying that Governor Oyetola is part of the planned celebration. He should step forward and present further evidence to back his false claims or forever remain silent,” Omipidan said.
Speaking with our Correspondent, the Chairman of the APC in Osun State, Prince Gboyega Famodun said the party is not aware of the 10th anniversary, stating that they are going to be part of second anniversary.
He said, “the second anniversary of the governor is on Friday and programmes start on Thursday. That’s what we’re aware of.”
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court orders Ndume be remanded in Kuje for failing to produce Maina
Efforts to confirm if the programme organized by APC NASS Caucus is same as the one being taunted by Aregbesola’s aides proved abortive as the Senator Basiru did not respond to calls nor respond to text messages to his lines.
However, the member representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Orolu/Osogbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Olubukola Oyewo distanced himself from the programme being organized by the NASS caucus.
Oyewo while speaking with our Correspondent on phone said he just got to the country yesterday and he’s not aware of any event to mark 10th anniversary, adding that he’s only aligning with the second anniversary of state government.
The Lawmaker said, “I know nothing on the programme organized by NASS caucus. I just got back to the country yesterday and all I know is that we’re celebrating Oyetola’s second anniversary on November 27. Maybe I’ll be briefed about the other one later. But I can say that I’m for the state government’s programme.”
