Osun: Osinbajo and Aregbesola absent from APC mega rally

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola were conspicuously absent from the Congressional mega rally of all progressives for the re-election of Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, held in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The mega rally committee, in a statement on Monday signed by its spokesperson, Funke Egbemode, had listed Osinbajo as one of the expected guests at the rally. But the Minister of the Interior was not included.

Some of the governors present included: Rotimi Akeredolu from Ondo, Kayode Fayemi from Ekiti, Atiku Bagudu from Kebbi, Nasir el-Rufai from Kaduna, Abdulrahaman Abudulrasak from Kwara, Hope Uzodinma from Imo, Abdullahi Ganduje from Kano, Babajide Sanwo -Olu from Lagos and Professor Babagana Zullum from Borno States.

Were also present; a former national president of APC, Adams Oshiomhole; respectively the 2023 APC presidential standard bearer and his running mate, Senator Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima.

When asked why his manager did not attend the rally, the media adviser to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Sola Fasure, replied that Aregbesola was not invited to the event.

Fasure, who also said that Aregbesola was not a member of the APC campaign council for the Osun poll, further noted that the minister was attending an official event in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said: "He is not a member of the campaign committee, but officially he went to Kirikiri Correctional Center in Lagos. It was an official visit. He was not invited (for the Osun rally). Moshood Adeoti, and the case will be heard on Thursday."

Speaking at the rally, APC National Chairman Adamu said the party was leaving nothing to chance with the election of Osun.

He said, "This is a mega rally to promote our candidate. We take no chances with Osun's business because the state deserves a leader like Oyetola in its pursuit of development. That's why we came out in force to support him to secure his re-election. Those of righteous minds will testify that he has done so much since becoming governor in 2018.

"We are here not only to bear witness to what he has done but to call on you to turn out in large numbers to vote massively for him. We anticipate a better result than what we had in Ekiti and by the grace of God, we are sure of victory. I want you to be ambassadors for APC, telling those who are not there what you have seen. Keep spreading the good works of this government to the nooks and crannies of the state. We don't give Osun's business a chance."

Also speaking, Senate Speaker Senator Ahmad Lawan hailed Oyetola's efficiency in managing scarce state resources, calling on citizens to look beyond political sentiments in their choice of who elect and to vote overwhelmingly for Oyetola.

In his address, APC Presidential Flag Bearer Senator Bola Tinubu urged the people of Osun State to replicate the victory recorded last month in Ekiti.

He said: "We came to ask you to vote overwhelmingly on Saturday for the APC, not as a mark of rights, but for the future of your children.

“Before you make your decision, think about the future. We are a party that guarantees your future because we are known to keep our promises. Let us put the affairs of our state in the hands of those who want to do business, not mushroom parties."

Osun State Governor Oyetola has urged people, especially working people, to shun political critics who peddle lies that his administration would renege on its commitment to their welfare if it were re-elected, saying he remains firmly committed to their well-being.< /p>

He also said he was ready to go beyond what he had done in his first term, saying the welfare of workers and citizens and the overall development of Osun remained his priority.