Yusuf Oketola
A Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owena, Oriade Local Government Area of the State, Alfa Mikhail Oyediran has refuted claim by the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led IleriOluwa faction that he has dumped the camp of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Oyediran who spoke at the Ijesa North Federal Constituency tour of the Hon. Rasaq Salinsile led APC, held at Ijebu-Ijesa, State of Osun, on Monday, described the report as false, saying ‘only a bastard’ of Osogbo will dissociate his or herself with Aregbesola.
The APC leader who doubles as the Coordinator of Oranmiyan World Wide and leader of The Osun Progressives (TOP) in the local government, noted that Aregbesola liberated the people of Osun during his time as the governor.
He disclosed that it is true that some people from the Governor’s camp came to persuade him to work for Oyetola, but he did not accede to their request.
The APC leader said: “I’m an indigene of Osogbo but born in Owena. It is a bastard politician from Osogbo that will deny Aregbesola as his leader. I so much respect him, he is our leader and a political mentor.
“He came to liberate the people of Osun and develop the state, especially the state capital during his regime as the governor. He worked wholeheartedly which earn him the confidence of the people.
“What happened was that some people from Oyetola camp came to persuade me, not that I invited them. They came to plead with me to join them but I didn’t give them any response.
“I asked them why the sudden visit; during the party congresses, I received a lot of blackmail from these people. There is someone from them called Agboge who happened to be his Personal Assistant, he lied against me and arrested me with police based on disagreement on the congress.
“On the day of the congress, I told them to follow the laid down guidelines which is election but they told me they had agreed on consensus. They brought out names and announced them as the new excos of the party in Oriade.
“Thanks to all our leaders who stood behind us through the journey back then.
“So, they (the Governor’s people) only came to plead with me but I didn’t agree to support them. No sort of meeting happened between us. In fact, I still hold TOP meeting on Sunday, go to the internet, you will see pictures of the meeting. I’m not with Oyetola”.
