Crisis seems to have broken out in the ranks the Osun Progressives, a group within the Osun All Progressives Congress loyal to the Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The crisis started when the group had a mini primary election at the residence of the former Governor in Ilesha last Sunday. Former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam got the highest support to vie for the APC ticket against incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Those seeking the support of the group for the Governorship primary are Salaam, Former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti and Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff.
Sources said the group had agreed not to obtain another form as the one obtained by Lasun Yusuff will be used by whoever gets the group’s support.
After Aregbesola, who presided over the meeting skipped the announcement of the group’s choice, stating that consultation will continue.
He, however, set up a reconciliation committee led by the Chairman of TOP, Lowo Adebiyi to pacify the Ilobu-born politician and Adeoti to allow the wish of the majority to prevail.
However, news filtered after the meeting that Salaam would get the group’s nod to contest against Oyetola. The development which sources close to Lasun told InsightMedia that did not go well with the former country’s number six man.
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One of Lasun’s aides, Niyi Ogunsola was on Thursday sighted at the APC national headquarters to submit his form, which signalled the ongoing internal crisis within the group. Another aide confirmed the development to InsightMedia on Saturday.
“Submission of form by Lasun shows that he will not be binded by resolutions of the group. It may be the beginning of the crisis within the group. Is it possible to overlook someone with 55 votes in favour of someone with 10 votes?” A member of the group who doesn’t want his name mentioned told InsightMedia.
Sources also confirmed that Adeoti, Salaam and some leaders of TOP are currently in Abuja and they have expressed shock over the move by the former Deputy Speaker.
