The political atmosphere of Osun – a ‘civil service’ state is terribly tensed. The cause of tension can be traced to the rosy relationship between Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola which went sour. The conflict which started as a mere exchange of verbal attacks between the followers of the duo to the denials from both leaders has grown wings, resulting into series of life threatening allegations.
Besides the conflict in APC, there are also challenges in PDP. There is no political party capable of winning election in the state that has no challenges. As political parties strive to resolve these differences, the more the altercations and challenges become tougher, gradually becoming clogs in the wheel of growth and development in affected parties.
A lot of political analysts have wondered why there is such crazy and desperate moves in the state. There are a lot of interests associated to the election. Every group, faction or camp desperately want to win the gubernatorial election. Some people wondered why a ‘civil service’ state in large and continous debts gain so much attention. A critical observation by this writer shows that the business of gold which is not only thriving but recklessly providing funds for the state appears to be target of all. A lot of elites are silently in possession of mining licences while some elites await the victory of their chosen one to be in control of the state. In all, there will be no easy win.
Eventhough Governor Oyetola in some interviews denied the silent war between him and his former principal, clearly stating that his former principal, Rauf Aregbesola now Minister of Interior can not work against his reelection in 2022.
On Monday, February 14, the former governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola visited the state and declared that former secretary to the state government and 2018 gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti is his choice. In a video which has gone viral, Aregbesola did not only declare his support for Moshood Adeoti but also called his former principal and leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a hypocrite.
Recall that Rauf Aregbesola sometimes last year publicly alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allowed criminals and murderers into the party but he and other passionate progressives would not allow them to take control of the party. This was made known by Rauf Aregbesola barely 7 days after former deputy governor of the state and 2014 gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cum 2018 guber candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following Aregbesola’s declaration of support for Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the political atmosphere of the state has become darker and more arguments have been raised by followers and stakeholders of the party. As at now, Prince Famodun is the recognised state chairman of the party at the national level while Rasak Salinsile is still considered as the factional chairman of the party by Aregbesola followers. Yet both chairmen including their followers and leaders are working towards the guber party primaries.
As members, stakeholders and leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state await its gubernatorial primary election slated to hold on Saturday, it is note worthy to mention that three people have bought the party’s nomination forms and the profiles of these aspirants will be discussed below:
ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA
Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, a native of Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government is a Nigerian politician and Governor of Osun State. Oyetola who attended Ifeoluwa Grammar School in Osogbo proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Insurance in 1978. He proceeded for his mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Potiskum, Yobe State, where he lectured at the Staff Training Centre between 1978 and 1979. He obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos in 1990.
In 1980, Oyetola joined Leadway assurance company Limited as an area manager and worked there till 1987 when he moved on to join Crusader Insurance Company Limited as Underwriting Manager between 1987 and 1990. In 1990, he joined Alliance and General Insurance as Technical Controller and served in that capacity until 1991 when he left the organisation to start his own company, Silvertrust Insurance Brokers Limited. He was Managing Director since its founding until 2011 when he was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
Oyetola also served as Executive Vice Chairman, Paragon Group of Companies between 2005 and 2011. He was also Chairman of Ebony Properties Limited. He had been a Director of Pyramid Securities Limited, until 2011. He is an Associate Member, Chartered Insurance Institute in London and Nigeria. He is also a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).
Adegboyega Oyetola, a close relative to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu became known in Osun politics after he was appointed as the Chief of Staff to Rauf Aregbesola, his predecessor in 2011. He later contested the Osun State gubernatorial candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 22, 2018 gubernatorial election and he won. His victory was challenged at the tribunal and he lost but was returned to office by judgements at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
MOSHOOD ADEOTI
Olalekan Moshood Adeoti, a native of Iwo in Iwo Local Government is a Nigerian politician and gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Adeoti started his primary school education in Iwo obtained Modern Three Leaving Cert. in 1969 and also attended Baptist High School, Iwo. Adeoti proceeded to University of Benin (1980-1984) where he bagged a Bsc. in Business Administration with a 2nd Class Honours.
Adeoti worked as a Graduate Assistant at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria during his NYSC (1984-1985). Previously, he worked as a Manager Igbehin – Adun Sawmill Iwo(1975-1978) and later as a Director MOOA FARMS.
Adeoti, a grassroots politician was elected a councillor in Iwo Local Government in 1988 where he served as member of some committees such as Revenue Mobilisation, Directorate of foods, roads and rural infrastructural (DFFRI) Monitoring among others.
He was appointed Local Govt Supervisor in 1991 under Iromini regime. He later emerged as Coordinator of National Conference Of Local Government Supervisors (NACOLGS) Osun state chapter (1991-1993). Adeoti served as a Secretary to Iwo Local Government Iwo (August 1993 – September 1993).
Adeoti was the administrative secretary of the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party UNCP Iwo Local Govt. Earlier in1978, he was the General Secretary Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN youth vanguard, Iwo LG, elected delegate of UPN and SDP for the Governorship, National and State Assemblies in1983 and 1990/1993 respectively.
He was appointed as the chairman, Transition Committee Iwo Local Govt ( June 2002- May 29, 2003) by Chief Bisi Akande (ex-Governor of Osun).
He was elected as State Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD) which later factionalised into two camps namely; Bisi Akande camp and Mojisola Akinfenwa camp.
Adeoti was retained as pioneer state chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria after the Bisi Akande’s camp he headed in Alliance for Democracy (AD) formed a coalition. Rauf Aregbesola emerged as the flagbearer of the newly founded party, Action Congress of Nigeria in 2007. He was appointed Secretary to the State Government by Rauf Aregbesola and resigned from office in 2018 after he showed interest to contest in the guber race.
After he was defeated at the guber primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he dumped the party and moved to Actions Democratic Party (ADP). He contested at the Osun 2018 gubernatorial election and polled less than 50,000 votes. Years after the election, Adeoti dumped the ADP and joined the APC. He took sides with his former principal and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola which led to the formation of Osun Progressives better known as TOP. Moshood Adeoti is now the choice of TOP and the former interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola.
LASUN YUSUF
Lasun Sulaimon Yusuf, a native of Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government is a Nigerian politician and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He started his formal education at the Local Authority Primary School in Ilobu, Osun State. He proceeded on his secondary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, Erin, and later moved to Ifon/Erin Community High School Ifon, both in Osun State from 1973 to 1979.
He secured an admission into the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State where he studied Mechanical Engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree. Lasun is a chartered engineer and holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Lasun Yusuff is a grassroot politician widely known in Osun State and he is fondly called The Homeboy due to his grassroot qualities. He was once a youth leader in the Unity Party of Nigeria UPN. He was also the state public relations officer PRO of the Alliance for Democracy before and during Chief Bisi Akande’s administration.
With his undiluted loyalty, unquantifiable role played in the Alliance of Democracy AD and his doggedness in the political cycle in the state the governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola appointed him chairman of Osun State Capital Territory Development Authority OSCTDA in 2004 / 2005, a body established by law with a mandate to facilitate the urban growth of Osogbo and neighbouring towns.
In 2011, he ran for a legislative seat in the [7th National Assembly] as the representative of the Irepodun/Olurunda/Osogbo/Orolu Federal Constituency. He won on the platform of [Action Congress of Nigeria], which joined the [All Progressives Congress] with other parties in the run-up to the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. He was appointed Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources by the then [Speaker (politics)|Speaker], [Aminu Waziri Tambuwal]. He was also a member of the Constitutional Review Committee.
Lasun was elected to the House of Representatives for a second time on the All Progressives Congress’ platform in March 2015. He was elected the Deputy Speaker of the 8th House of Representatives by 203 members of the House of Representatives out of the 357 that participated in the in-house election. Yakubu Dogara was elected as the Speaker.
Lasun was defeated by Gboyega Oyetola at the 2018 APC guber primaries but refused to leave the party to contest at another party. Currently, he has bought the APC’s guber nomination form and will likely participate in the forthcoming primary election of the party.
To be continued