Mixed Reactions Trail Presence Of Aregbesola’s Allies At Governor Adeleke’s Inauguration

By Akinwale Kasali

The Inauguration Ceremony of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Governor of Osun State which saw loyalists of Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola gracing the occasion has generated reactions from different quarters,  especially from the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Allies of Aregbesola who obviously worked against the re-election of former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola and didn’t hide their displeasure  with his administration’s policies graced the  inauguration.

The factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State,  Rasaq Salinsile, whose group was backed by Aregbesola, during the struggle for the Osun State leadership of the party was present at the  inauguration  which didn’t augur well with the APC.  It  sparked reactions among members of the opposition party.

Members of The Osun Progressives, TOP, were also present, including former Commissioner for Sports, Biyi Odunlade.

TOP, a faction in the Osun APC, displayed pictures taken at the event on various social media pages  Monday 28th November, 2022.

Aregbesola’s allies who attended the event have been labeled ‘Enemies of the APC, Betrayers. Saboteurs of Progressives’ and other names.

TOP members have however said they are proud of what they did because it was the best thing to do.

Reacting to this development, Sunday Akere, aide to former Governor Oyetola, expressed disappointed about the action of the APC members that attended the event.

He added that, “It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation. It is good that the enemies within are exposing themselves gradually. Initially, the argument of these people is that  they want to reorganise the party.

“Even at the election, they refused to admit that they worked for the PDP, telling the whole world they didn’t do it. We know who the TOP leaders went there to represent. We are not surprised. But I want to assure you the party would adequately take care of the situation and respond to it this week.”

Odunlade in a chat with The Punch said that he attended the inauguration of Adeleke because he is a senior citizen of the state and former member of the State Executive Council and not as a TOP member.

“I didn’t hide. I attended that programme as a citizen of Osun State. I also identified with the new change based on the fact that once a governor has been elected, he becomes governor for everybody. I didn’t attend as a TOP member.

“I attended as a former Commissioner who was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony. I didn’t hide. If you look at the pictures, I took them with former cabinet members, we were together in Aregbesola’s cabinet. They are Dr. Wale Bolorunduro and Prof. Bukola Oyawoye,” Odunlade said.

Ladi Baderinwa, Secretary of the APC faction in Osun State supported by Aregbesola was asked if it would punish members of the APC that attended Adeleke’s inauguration as it is termed to be an anti party activity, he responded by saying that, “At our meeting, if the matter comes up for discussion, then decision would be taken. I also saw some pictures.”