Governor Rauf Aregbesola has sparked off fresh trouble in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state with his New Year message, societynow.ng reports.
The outgoing state helmsman declared intention to select rather than hold a primary election to determine APC candidate for the state gubernatorial election scheduled for later this year.
According to societynow.ng, Aregbesola specifically told his party men “This is an election year in which our tenure will end and a successor must emerge. It is my solemn promise that we will not leave in a vacuum. In consultation with our leaders and the member of our great party, we will careful select and present to you a successor that belongs to our political tradition of progressive people oriented leadership, a person of integrity, who shares our aspirations and will take governance to the next level from where we stopped…”
Societynow gathered the line “we will carefully select and present to you a successor that belongs to our political tradition…” is interpreted as “Imposition”.
“Let us dispense with all the fine words, what he is talking about is a pure imposition and that won’t stand” a source disclosed.
Insiders disclosed a fierce and open opposition to the governor’s declaration has erupted within his party over the new year message.
Checks revealed resentments against the move runs deep within the Osun APC and based on erupting reactions it appears – the move already foreseen.
The governor is said not to enjoy that much popularity within his party and imposition of candidate appears is best option to ensure his candidate emerges party candidate in the upcoming election.
The rage against the decision to “impose” candidate is said to be such that talks Aregbesola the sole decision maker on the issue is taking front burner.
“The national secretariat will decide, APC does not end in Osun state” is the theme of growing opposition to the Governor’s declaration.
“He has not learnt from his actions in Osun West that gifted the People’s Democratic Party a Senatorial Seat” is another point being used to take wind of Aregbesola’s move to select the gubernatorial candidate.
About six aspirants have shown interests to succeed Aregbesola within his party including Kunle Rasheed Adegoke popularly known as K-Rad and Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Yusuf Lasun.
Aregbesola’s full message to party men reads
“I will like to say from the bottom of my heart that it has been a great privilege to serve the good people of Osun. I cherish your love, fierce patriotism, courage and forthrightness. You are a great people.”
“This is an election year in which our tenure will end and a successor must emerge. It is my solemn promise that we will not leave in a vacuum. In consultation with our leaders and the member of our great party, we will carefully select and present to you a successor that belongs to our political tradition of progressive people-oriented leadership, a person of integrity, who shares our aspirations and will take governance to the next level from where we stopped.”
“I want you, therefore, to conduct yourselves with the same dignity and courage of Omoluabi – a people whose conscience and soul cannot be bought, that cannot be intimidated with guns and dogs and who stand firmly behind the progressive rock of political leadership.”
societynow.ng
