The Omoluabi Progressives Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has raised the alarm over the threat to the life of the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The APC group said there was a clear threat to Aregbesola’s life and freedom, saying it was evident in an article released by Ismail Omipidan, the media aide to a former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola.
In a statement signed by the Organising and Publicity Secretary of the Omoluabi caucus, Comrade Abosede Oluwaseun, the group said the threat to Aregbesola’s life could not be overlooked, going by the previous attacks on the former governor of the state and his loyalists in the recent past.
The caucus quoted Omipidan as saying, “Yet with the feeling of self-importance, he continues to wage war against the structure which brought him into the limelight. But let me say for the umpteenth time that if Aregbesola continues his political war against the party and persons that brought him to political reckoning, He MAY NOT SURVIVE IT.”
The caucus called on security agencies in the state to investigate Omipidan’s statement and prevent any attempt on Aregbesola’s life.
A copy of the statement made available to newsmen yesterday reads: “An article came out recently from Ismail Omipidan, the media aide to Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, titled “What does Aregbesola want from Oyetola?”
“We urgently draw the attention of the law enforcement agencies and all responsible individuals to the evident and explicit threats against the life and freedom of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, clearly expressed in this hostile narrative.
“Omipidan’s assertions betray a deeper and more insidious conspiracy and subterfuge by his sponsors.
“For context, Omipidan and his sponsors are not only playing God, which they are grossly incompetent and unqualified to do, they are certainly hatching a very dangerous, sinister, and diabolical plan against Aregbesola, which must not be overlooked.
“It is a criminal offence to TERMINATE A HUMAN LIFE. It must therefore be seen for what it is, condemned and resisted by all civilized people; and the law enforcement agencies to take appropriate actions in line with their duty to protect lives and property and deter any criminal activity anywhere in the country.
“We cannot dismiss the clear murderous intent openly canvassed in the statement. This is very important because of the wicked antecedents of these people.
“On February 14, 2022, a murder squad under the leadership of Asiri waylaid Aregbesola’s convoy and openly attacked it at the Orisumibare market/Old Garage, Osogbo.
“Oranmiyan House, Aregbesola’s political office in Osogbo, was viciously attacked twice. The attacks were with guns. The second attack was most brutal and venomous.”
THE FULL STATEMENT
Omipidan’s Schizophrenia: Threats and Implications
A diatribe came out recently from Ismail Omipidan, the media aide to Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, titled “What does Aregbesola want from Oyetola?” Omipidan, a hagiographer, wrote “Yet with the feeling of self-importance, he continues to wage war against the structure which brought him into the limelight. But let me say for the umpteenth time that if Aregbesola continues his political war against the party and persons that brought him to political reckoning, HE MAY NOT SURVIVE IT.”
We urgently draw the attention of the law enforcement agencies and all responsible individuals to the evident and explicit threats against the life and freedoms of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, clearly expressed in this hostile narrative by an impolite Omipidan. It is apparent that Omipidan and his backers are relentlessly pursuing their agenda to KILL Ogbeni Aregbesola, a distinguished public figure, with worrying determination.
For the record, OGBENI is one of the few politically adept, exposed and highly placed Nigerians in this dispensation.
He stands tall as a colossus in the Nigerian political firmament. His distinguished journey encompasses an eight-year tenure as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State, followed by an impactful eight-year term as Governor. His commitment to public service further extended to a four-year role as a Minister in the Federal Government of Nigeria. He was, in between his tours of duty, according to Omipidan and his sponsors, the fixer-in-chief to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Omipidan’s assertions betray a deeper and more insidious conspiracy and subterfuge by his sponsors.
For context, Omipidan and his sponsors are not only playing God, which they are grossly incompetent and unqualified to do, they are certainly hatching a very dangerous, sinister, and diabolical plan against Aregbesola, which must not be overlooked. It is a criminal offence to TERMINATE HUMAN LIFE. It must therefore be seen for what it is, condemned and resisted by all civilized people; and the law enforcement agencies to take appropriate actions in line with their duty to protect lives and property and deter any criminal activity anywhere in the country.
While we do not wish to join issues on other genuine matters raised in the inarticulate write-up, we cannot dismiss the clear murderous intent openly canvassed in the statement. This is very important because of the wicked antecedents of these people. A recap of a few previous murderous actions by the group will confirm our claims:
- On February 14, 2022, Oyetola’s murder squad under the leadership of Asiri waylaid Ogbeni’s convoy and openly attacked it at the Orisumibare market/Old Garage, Osogbo.
- Oranmiyan House, Aregbesola’s political office in Osogbo was viciously attacked twice. The attacks were with guns by the goons of Oyetola. The second attack was most brutal and venomous. It was with the intention to burn the house down. Besides the rain of bullets on the building, the transformer was targeted with the intention of causing an explosion that would destroy the house. The extent of the damage to the building was huge.
- Several other mindless attacks and persecution of the followers of OGBENI were numerous but well documented. It will be irresponsible therefore to ignore the unhidden threats to life and liberties inherent in the recent press statement of Omipidan.
We, the legion of followers of Ogbeni in Osun hereby put it on record that Ismail Omipidan, his cohorts and sponsors, are plotting evil designs against Ogbeni and should be held accountable for this evil agenda they have expressed publicly.
We remind everyone that Nigeria is a republic, founded on the principles that guarantee every citizen’s right to life, liberty, and the freedom to express political beliefs. Protecting these rights is not just a civic duty but a necessity to maintain our nation’s democratic integrity and honour human dignity.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
