Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State today, as part of his efforts
to foster unity among Yoruba leaders.
The governor, who said that he was not in Osun for any political
reason, pointed out that he was not ready to abandon the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Fayose stated that against all speculations from some
quarters that he was coming to Osogbo to ask Aregbesola help him beg
President Muhammadu Buhari, he was in Osun for the unity of Yoruba
race.
He said that the Yoruba race was greater than any political office
hence his belief in the development of the race.
The governor averred that the visit of the Ooni of Ife to the 45th
coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo was instructive, hence the need for
every Yoruba sons and daughters to see to the unity and progress of
the race.
He said, "This is my first official visit to any APC state in Nigeria.
I am not in Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to help me beg as being
speculated in some quarters. We are all Yoruba, politics is like
water, it can flow anywhere.
"I was moved by the historic visit of the Ooni of Ife to the Alaafin
of Oyo and I am of the opinion that the Yoruba leaders must unite.
"The Yoruba nation must not be rubbished. Our leaders must not be
rubbished irrespective of the political they belong to.
"I believe in the Yoruba race, the race comes first before the office
of the governor. The race is eternal while that of governor is
momentary. We must watch today to be guided by tomorrow. I am here for
the unity of Yoruba as it affect the Oodua, the progenitor" Fayose
emphasised.
While reiterating his ressolve to remain in the PDP, the governor
said, "I remain in PDP to play the opposition role.
"In all of this, there must be fairness. There must be equity and the
rule of law must be followed. We should remember that power as it was
transient for the PDP, it can also be transient for the party in power
now.
"For me, I don't want to contest which party is dead now or which one
is alive. Whether or not PDP is dead, time will tell.
"Opposition is the major ingredient of democracy and without
opposition in a democracy, there will be dictatorship. Those promoting
dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomach of the
dictator."
Responding, Governor Aregbesola
described the visit of Governor Fayose to Osun as demonstration of
maturity, saying it takes a very matured human being to know that at
the end of every public office, he will be left with humanity.
He said, "Osoko has said that he is not going to leave his party, but
I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted it's
stay in Nigeria, it can no longer be revived, let us look at a
political party that will give hope to our people. Opposition must be
for a purpose, I stand by you on the unity of Yoruba land and that our
leaders not put down in the country."
He assured Fayose that he will stand by him in his effort to galvanise
the people of South-west for accelerated development.
The Governor who lamented the present economic situation of the
country noted that there was an invasion on the economy of Nigeria to
the extent that the country is loosing 75 percent of its income due to
oil glut.
"The country is facing a very serious crises with the rate at which
the crude oil price is falling. There is an invasion on the economy to
the level that we are loosing 75 percent of our income which is not
good.
"At this point, wise people must have an alternative to oil which part
of it is your visit. We must use our culture and affinity to form a
bond that can make our people live a normal life, it is a duty that we
owe our people, States and Nigeria as a whole".
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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