BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State have engaged in war of words over crowd turnout at the flag-off of the re-election campaign of APC governorship candidate, Governor Gboyega Oyetola in Ile-Ife.
Oyetola had flagged-off his campaign ahead of the July 16 governorship election in the state in Ile-Ife on Thursday.
But the PDP in the state has been bashing APC saying Oyetola’s campaign recorded poor outing because of his poor performance across the state in his ongoing first term of office.
A statement issued on Friday by Diran Odeyemi, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Senator Ademola Adeleke Campaign Organisation, said, “the poor outing of Governor Gboyega Oyetola at Ile-Ife was a true reflection of his poor performance and a potent signal for his eventual defeat at the forthcoming governorship election.
“A failure of any government at Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba people, is a confirmation of abysmal performance state-wide. We make bold to say there was no concrete achievements the administration could point at in the last four years at Ile-Ife, hence the courageous decision of Ife people to treat Oyetola and his team like a leper during the campaign tour.
“Like everyone knows, people of Ile-Ife are politically active and sensible and would therefore put their votes to elect their son as the deputy governor, rather than wasting such on an administration that neither benefit them, in any concrete way nor have any plan for them in the next four years.
“That show of shame on Thursday at Ile Ife is enough reason for any government with discerning mind to be preparing its handover notes rather than junketing around the state in frivolities, wasting the tax payers money. We will also like to advise the failing administration of Governor Oyetola to campaign based on issues and achievements, if he has any, rather than chasing the shadows of denigrating People Democratic Party. Such diversionary style only cement the conclusion of Osun voters that the Governor is bereft of governance ideas, hence his switch to personality attacks.
But the Campaign Council of the APC in the state declared that entire residents of the ancient town and its environs trooped out en masse to receive Governor Oyetola, leaders and members of the party at the Ile-Ife campaign.
In a statement signed by its Director-General, Ajibola Basiru, the Campaign Council expressed profound gratitude to Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other Ife traditional rulers and the entire residents, specifically the market women and men, artisans, Ibira, Igbo and Hausa communities for their show of love which was demonstrated in action when the governor and his entourage visited the Ooni’s palace.
The Campaign Council described the massive turnout of the people to the campaign venue as a testament to the undiluted love and passion they have for Governor Oyetola and the ruling APC.
According to the council, the peaceful atmosphere experienced throughout the period that the visit to the palace and campaign venue lasted, coupled with the noble conduct on the part of the crowd at the rally were clear testimony to the fact that APC remains a rancour-free, peace-loving and model party.
“On behalf of the leadership and members of the APC Campaign Council of our candidate in the next Osun guber poll, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, I appreciate our revered monarch, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other members of Ife traditional council, market women/men, artisans, Ibira community, Igbo community and Hausa community for receiving us warmly.
“The large turnout is an indication of the love and passion that the people have for us, and a show of appreciation of the modest achievements that God had used us to achieve.
“We appeal to you all to continue to support the governor and translate your presence to massive votes for our party—the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the next governorship election in the State”, the statement reads,” the statement added.
