Following the arrival Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola into the State on Friday, the Osun Progressives on Sunday had a crucial meeting at the residence of the former Governor in Ilesa on Sunday, where they partially agreed to throw up Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam as their gubernatorial candidate, multiple sources at the meeting told InsightMedia.
It was gathered that the final conclusion on the matter could not be reached as former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff was said not to be in agreement with the development. But Aregbesola and several of the leaders present at the meeting preferred the Ejigbo-born politician to either of Moshood Adeoti and Lasun.
Sources at the meeting said said all aspirants were given time to present their manifestos for both the party and the State.
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One of the sources said, “”In TOP, we have never hidden our agenda that it’s the time of West senatorial district. Lasun has also said he’s from Woru (in Egbedore local government).
“The three of them were asked to present what they have for Osun State and the party. So after the discussion, several factors considered favoured Najeem Salaam. While Adeoti and Lasun will be given senatorial tickets.”
Another source privy to the development confirmed to our Correspondent that the group did not finalise on Salaam during the meeting. The source said discussion is still ongoing and that a decision will be made soon.
“Discussion is still ongoing on the matter. We have not concluded. We will make an announcement when it’s concluded.”
Present at the meeting were Aregbesola, factional Chairman of APC, Rasak Salinsile; TOP leader, Lowo Adebiyi, leaders of the group, among others.
Another source privy to the development told our Correspondent that the group did not finalise on Salaam during the meeting. The source said discussion is still ongoing and that a decision will be made soon.
“Discussion is still ongoing on the matter. We have not concluded. We will make an announcement when it’s concluded.”
In the meantime, the caucus has denied alliance with members of the opposition People’s Democratic Party in the State.
Chairman of TOP, Lowo Adebiyi in a statement on Monday in Osogbo said the group is peopled by members of the APC, asking the PDP members to stop “wishful thinking”.
“To set the record straight, TOP is a caucus of APC and our hearts and souls are fully with the party. We did not have any alliance with PDP or any other party in the state. Why do we even need to form alliance with any party when we are sure of victory within our party before and after the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state.
“We also want to tell the PDP that it is a wishful thinking for them to expect us to work against our party because of the current crisis. We are progressives to the core; we cannot betray our ideology.”
