Osun 2018: Support For Oyetola Deepens As Ilerioluwa Steals Show In Ijesa South Federal Consituency

As the tenure of the incumbent governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is winding up in 217 days, the coast might seem to be clear for his chief of staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola popularly referred to as “Ilerioluwa” to succeed the Ijesa born politician.

Although, rallying forces in Osun politics have longed for the party’s gubernatorial ticket to be zoned to Osun West Senatorial District which has only ruled the state for 23 months.

As the ruling All Progressives Congress APC led by its party chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun and the leader of the party in the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commenced a state-wide political mobilization and consultation with the over 300,000 active and registered members in the progressive fold, the chances of Oyetola to clinch the party’s ticket for the election might be gathering momentum.

The tour designed to take the governor round the existing and politically recognized nine federal constituencies (Ife, Osogbo, Ikire, Ede, Iwo, Ijesa South, Ikirun, Ila and Ijesa North) of the state commenced with the Ife zone of 4 local governments (Ife South, Ife Central, Ife North and Ife East LGA) on Monday 23rd April, 2018 with a visitation to the palace of The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The objective of the parley is to intimate members of the achievements of the government in the last 90 months since the inception of the Ogbeni Aregbesola administration, promote unity and peace and preach brotherliness amongst members, institute a smooth working operation for continuity in the state in order to sustain the tempo of good governance and infrastructural revolution embarked upon by the government, among others.

The feedback from the Ife parley was encouraging as residents in their thousands trooped out en-masse to welcome Mr. Governor but more intimidating and destabilizing to the opposition in the state was the unprecedented and mammoth crowd that greeted the arrival and homecoming for the “son of the soil” at the Ijesa South (Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa West and Atakumosa East LGs) convergence, in a stretch of fifty-five minutes, the long convoy of the entourage was still passing through the major streets of Ilesa, the venue of the meeting was already overstretched, leading to human and vehicular traffic around the palace of the Owa Obokun.

After paying homage to the foremost traditional ruler of the Ijesa kingdom, Oba Dr. Adekunle Aromolaran, The Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland who lauded the significant contributions Aregbesola has introduced to the state of Osun, cannot but pray for a worthy successor to continue the good works.

With the entourage of the governor laced by the speculative major contenders for the exalted position like the Speaker of the house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam (Iwaloye), the secretary to the state government, Alh. Moshood Adeoti (Sheu) and the administratively savvy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gboyega Oyetola (Ilerioluwa), the atmosphere was overcharged with supporters pouring accolades and encomium on their preferred candidate.

However, the unstoppable and torrential chorused shout of Ilerioluwa by the people as observed in these two places over shadowed others as it continued unabated, as the crowd was uncontrollable when initiator of the Ilerioluwa 2018 project, Gboyega Oyetola stepped out of the bus carrying all the important dignitaries. Political watchers at the event said that the Ilesa axis of the APC family seems to have settled for their preferred candidate in Oyetola  if the events of Tuesday was keenly taken into cognizance.

As closely monitored, the musician on the band stand did not help matters  as his occasional interlude of the danceable Ileriooluwa rhymes interjected various speakers to the admiration of the APC family. Various speakers at the event eulogized the governor and his team for every development Osun has witnessed in the last eight years, owing to his visionary dream.

Opportunities were given to the representatives of the different pivotal stakeholders of the party to address the mammoth crowd while the party chairman, Prince Famodun gave a step by step account that will culminate in the emergence of a flag bearer for the September 22nd governorship election.

Elder Kunle Odeyemi who spoke on behalf of the Elders’ Council told the governor that their caucus have taken a position to cue behind anybody Aregbesola deems fit for the assiduous task ahead as he know better in terms of what, where and how and the capacity of the different aspirants, and must be able to foretell who can manage the state and propel it into greatness.

Speaking on behalf of the four APC chairmen in Ijesa South federal constituency, the Osun State Commissioner for environment who doubles as the Ilesa East LG party chair, Idowu Korede emphasized the need for cohesion as he reiterated that there is no division whatsoever in their camp, and in unison they are ever ready to throw their weight behind the candidate of the governor, government and the APC to ensure victory at the polls.

The spokesman for the Community Development Council CDC, Hon. Gboyega Ajileti recounted the successes of the governor in the area of rural development as regards road construction, electrification, agriculture and provision of basic social amenities iwhich he described as unprecedented in the annals of the state.

He said with such, the CDC has agreed to work together with the APC to produce a worthy successor to continue with the developmental strides of the Aregbesola administration.

Others who spoke were the representatives of the market women (Iyaloja), trade unions and artisan associations, women leaders and Hon. Femi Kujembola who delivered the goodwill message on behalf of all the elected Chairman and parliamentarians of the 4 LGAs and newly created LCDAs.

They appreciated and commended the governor for the thoughtful insight that led to the establishment of more LCDAs which has brought government and dividends of democracy closer to the people at the grassroots, he therefore pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the party as they are eager to promote the interest of the governor and his candidate.

The tactical and technical endorsement for Oyetola in Ijesaland came from the senatorial youth leader of the party, Hon. Omo Olope who highlighted the various youth interventions of the government in agriculture, youth empowerment, teaching service etc ended his remarks with “what we are confident of as youths of the party is that the promise of God (Ilerioluwa) will manifest in the state this 2018”.

The governor rounded off the session by charging all to go back to their different communities and wards to promote the giant strides of his administration and canvass support for the party, APC as it gets set for the gubernatorial election.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola has however not publicly declared his support for anyone among the aspirants seeking to takeover from him.

The APC has also not lifted its ban on declaration of interests by Aspirants in the build-up to the September 22 election.