A former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has urged the Minister of Interior and his successor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to reschedule a programme he wants to hold in the state on November 27.
According to him, the 10th anniversary of Aregbesola’s victory in the state should not clash with the second anniversary of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, to ensure that peace reigns.
There has been some heat since about two days ago when Aregbesola, through his media aide, Sola Fasure, announced that the 10th anniversary programme would hold.
The Oyetola government has, through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan, denounced the plan, even as Aregbesola side added that his coming was also in fulfilment of the President’s instruction that ministers should go to their states to engage the people on coronavirus issues.
Reacting in a statement, Oyinlola noted:
“It is necessary that I put my own experience on record. I took over from Chief Bisi Akande in May 2003 and, I can say that throughout my almost eight years in government, and despite our political differences, Akande never gave me any problem.
“It is common knowledge that Mr Aregbesola took over from me, and, despite the circumstances of his coming to that office, I did not do anything to undermine his authority throughout his eight years in government. That is the spirit with which I appeal that the Interior Minister (Aregbesola) avoid doing anything that will suggest a plan to make the state ungovernable for Mr Oyetola.
“As a former governor of that state, I plead that we give peace a chance. The state has witnessed enough unnecessary crises in recent weeks coupled with the coronavirus pandemic which has upended people’s economy and general wellbeing. Our people are suffering; they deserve a respite from all forms of crises as they struggle to make ends meet.
“All of us former governors, as leaders of our people, we all have a stake in making Osun State to work for the good of our people who have had to deal with one hardship or the other. We will be seen as doing that when we avoid making the job of the incumbent governor difficult for him. May God help our state and its people in this difficult time.”
