Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past governor of Osun State and current Minister of Interior, on Thursday, vowed to work against the reelection of his successor, Gboyega Oyetola.
Aregbesola said this at a political gathering in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary on Saturday would determine Oyetola’s fate in office.
Aregbesola is at loggerheads with Oyetola.
Aregbesola has declared his support for the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, as his preferred candidate to fly the party’s ticket.
Oyetola, on his part, is seeking to win the party’s ticket to actualise his second-term bid, and moves in the camps of the two leaders have heightened tensions in the state.
Aregbesola, who spoke in Yoruba, said Oyetola had been in battle with him since assumption of office.
He said, “Those we assisted are now against us and we have reported them to God. He (Oyetola) will not return for second term.
“Saturday’s primary election will determine his fate. The party has already said that we should conduct election after four years.
“I campaigned passionately for him under the rain, but he is now my enemy. I begged him for two years and even sent people to him but he refused. Everything we did together for eight years, he destroyed.
“When I saw that he was firm on this enmity, I told God about it. Even if Bola Ige comes back to this earth, he will join us,” he said.
Aregbesola, who urged the people to vote massively for Adeoti during the July 16 gubernatorial election, said he (Adeoti) did not insult or speak against him when he was angry with the party.
But the Chief Press Secretary to Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, said “Aregbesola is not God and cannot determine the fate of my principal”.
Omipidan said that his principal had absolute faith in God and the people of Osun, adding that in the last three years plus, the people can tell the difference in terms of responsible and responsive governance and politics.
He said, “The general belief among most Africans that a man’s life is preordained and ruled by God, has continued to play out in the political trajectory of Oyetola.
“From 2011 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to 2018 when, against all odds, he emerged, first as the candidate of APC, and later, Governor of the State, at a time when many thought it was all over for him, it was obvious that he was on a divine political course.
“My Principal has absolute faith in God and the people of Osun. In these last three years plus, the people can tell the difference in terms of responsible and responsive governance and politics.
“Therefore, it is God and Osun people that will determine Oyetola’s fate, not an individual trying to play God,” Omipidan said.
Also, the Chairman of Osun APC Elders’ Caucus, popularly known as ‘Igbimo Agba’, Mr Sola Akinwumi, condemned Aregbesola’s attitude, describing it a display of thuggery and hooliganism that is unbefitting of his personality.
Akinwumi said this while receiving the governor at his residence in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state.
Akinwumi, who noted that Aregbesola was acting like a baby politician, commended Oyetola for his display of maturity and competence in handling the matter.
He called on the aggrieved members of the ruling party to return to the party and stop being deceived by those who have nothing to offer them.
Akinwumi noted that APC remains one and united family in the state, saying anyone doing otherwise is just a joker of the century.
Meanwhile, Aregbesola has urged APC faithful in Osun to come out en masse and vote in the February 19 party primary elections.
Aregbesola gave the advice in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Sola Fasure, on Thursday in Abuja.
The minister, at the end of a rally, urged party faithful to support Mr Moshood Adeoti, to emerge as the candidate in Saturday’s elections.
He said it was time to give someone with fresh ideas chance to take the state to new heights of development.
“There is no harm in replacing someone who is not doing well and not in tandem with progressive ideals.
“That is what we are working on and that is why we have come to you,” he said.
On his part, Adeoti promised to build on the legacies of APC in Osun as enshrined in the ideals of good governance.
He urged party members not to be afraid of sponsored violence but stand firm and defend their votes.
