Aftermath Ekiti election: Aregbesola, Oyegun, Tinubu visit Oyinlola

Some national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday, visited former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, at his Okuku residence, apparently in connection with the August 9 governorship election in the state.

The team was led by the new national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the national leader of the party and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, with Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, also in the team. The visit is coming a day after the APC candidate in Ekiti governorship election, Dr Kayode Fayemi lost to the PDP candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose.


Sources at the meeting told the Nigerian Tribune that the APC team that visited former Osun State governor was led by the new national chairman of the party, John Oyegun.
Our source said that Oyegun intimated Oyinlola of their visit and urged him to be part of the new movement.

According to Oyegun, “the APC team still recognises the fact that you are the de-facto national secretary of the PDP but we are here because of your wide experience and connection across the country, that is why we have come to urge you to be part of this new movement,” the source said.

Responding, Prince Oyinlola, who thanked the APC team for their visit and for recognising him as the de-facto national secretary of the PDP, reminded them of a court case at the Supreme Court, which he promised to pursue to a logical conclusion.

He told them that as a leader, he could not take a unilateral decision, but do whatever his people told him to do.

Despite Fayose’s victory, I’ll win Osun poll —Aregbesola

Regardless of the electoral victory of Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, at the Saturday governorship poll, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would still win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said.

Reacting to the outcome of the Ekiti poll won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, Aregbesola contended that “the beauty of democracy is that the will of the people prevails,” just as he  assured the people of his party’s confidence to win the August 9, 2014 election, saying “the support base of my party and government remained unflinching.”
In a press statement signed by his Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor, who is the candidate of the APC said the “beauty of democracy is that the will of the people must prevail at all times.”

Aregbesola affirmed that “if the result of the Ekiti election which declared the candidate of the PDP,  Ayo Fayose the winner is the true reflection of the peoples’ decision and desires, his party would have no option but to abide by the outcome.”

According to him, “a true democrat must be ready to embrace defeat just as he will be quick to embrace victory in all genuine democratic contests”, cautioning that “while recognising the will of the people in the attempt to institute real democracy in Nigeria, all institutions of state must be deployed in manners that promote and edify democratic tenets.”

I will win, Omisore says
Following last Saturday’s victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, the party’s candidate in August 9 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has declared that he is  sure of taking over the rein of governance in the state.
Senator Omisore made this declaration on Sunday, when speaking with journalists at the Bashorun residence of late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola-Alao.
Omisore said the victory of Ayo Fayose during  the election connotes total rejection of  the All progressive Congress (APC) in the South West.

According to him, “we’re taking over the government of Osun State  within the next  49 days I can assure you that by God’s grace, on the 10th of August, we’ll have cause to celebrate.
“Obviously, you can go and see what is happening in that state now. There is total rejection of APC in my state. Today, APC has only been able to touch about five per cent of peoples’ lives.
“All you see on papers and televisions are not on the ground. Bad roads everywhere, no water, no facility, nothing to show for it. Workers are not being paid, schools are closed, teachers and pensioners are not paid, retirees are not paid. So, there is a general consensus of exit of APC in Ekiti and Osun states for now and probably, in South West in the next few months more.”
On the victory of his party in Ekiti at the weekend, Omisore noted that the success of that election was made possible by the consciousness of security agents, which was in control arrested some suspected hoodlums.

He said both local and foreign observers adjudged the election as freest and fairest so far in recent elections in Nigeria, but noted it was made possible because “about 1,500 APC thugs were arrested at different locations. That made it possible for us to have a very good election. Had it been the security was not provided, there would have been confusion everywhere.”
On Arisekola’s death, Omisore said “he led and lived a good life. He  meant so much to so many people. God loveth you more than we do.”

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said the late philanthropist was a good man, adding that Nigeria would miss him. He lived his life for the masses and imparted positively on the Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

“Aare was a goodman and a philanthropist who will be greatly missed. His life impacted positively on the generality of Nigerians and our economy. May his soul rest in peace.”

In his own tribute, the President CAC worldwide Prophet Dr S.K. Abiara said Aare was a “man of God, a man of hospitality, very generous and very accommodating.”