Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun State, disclosed the reasons behind his decision to boycott the re-election campaign of Governor Gboyega Oyetola during an end-of-the-year thanksgiving organized by the Omoluabi Caucus in Ilesa, Osun State.
In a video shared on Facebook by Lekan Arogundade, Aregbesola addressed his supporters, assuring them that by the end of 2024, his political stance in Osun State would be clear.
Aregbesola recounted his efforts to unite the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2022 governorship election, where the APC lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He explained that he met with representatives of the APC’s “overall leader” to discuss the equitable sharing of appointments, but the agreements reached were not fulfilled.
The former governor expressed disappointment over the lack of implementation of the agreed terms, highlighting the failure to reintegrate those pushed out of the party. He revealed that his group’s proposed one-third share in vacant appointive and elective posts was not honored.
Aregbesola further disclosed that the leader of the APC governorship campaign declared that only invited individuals should participate, leading to his decision to stay away from the campaign. He emphasized the significance of respecting invitations in Yoruba tradition.
Detailing the campaign of calumny against him, Aregbesola accused the Oyetola-led administration of making false accusations, including claims of non-payment of workers’ salaries and pensions. He expressed his intention to reveal additional conditions he had set for participating in the campaign, conditions that were not addressed.
In response to the political developments, Aregbesola stated, “We are unperturbed. God will judge each one of us on the role we play in the matter.” He concluded by assuring his supporters that by the end of 2024, the direction of Osun politics and his role in it would be evident to all.