The All Progressives Congress in Osun state has dared the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, to openly declare his ambition to contest the number one political office in the state in 2018 in violation of the ban placed on such an action by the party in the state.
The ruling APC warned that it would not take it lightly with any politician, including Adeleke, who is currently representing Osun West in the Senate, found violating the party’s subsisting ban on declaration of intention to contest the 2018 governorship poll in the state.
The Point had reported that Adeleke had, against the Osun APC’s order, recently declared his intention to join the race, resulting in tension in the party in the state.
Adekele’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations, Olumide Lawal, had, in a statement, declared the readiness of the former governor to once again occupy the state government house, in violation of the party’s ban on such declaration in the state.
The Osun APC had in a recent statement instructed its members intending to become the next governor of the state to put their aspiration on hold, saying such a pronouncement would be inappropriate at a time the ruling party was being confronted with the challenges of fixing the state.
The state APC Chairman, Prince Adegboyega Famodun, had said in the statement that there were more important things to do in service delivery to the people of the state than setting off the jostle for the 2018 poll.
“What is most important for the party now is for everyone to join hands with Governor Rauf Aregbesola to solve problems confronting the state,” he said.
But reacting to the reported declaration of intention to contest by Isiaka on a programme monitored by our correspondent in Osogbo, Famodun denied that the former governor had taken such a step.
He said, “I don’t think he (Adeleke) did. Some people said so, but the party has not received such declaration from Senator Adeleke.
“I need him (Adeleke) to come out to say that he wants to be governor of Osun State. I need my senator to come out openly to tell me that, ‘I, Isiaka Adeleke, want to be governor.’
“He hasn’t said that. Nobody in APC has shown interest, to my knowledge. Governorship of a state is a serious business. Come out openly and declare and I will believe you. As far as I am concerned, all party members have obeyed the directive.”
On whether the party would consider zoning the 2018 governorship slot, the state APC chairman said, “There are considerations that the party will consider when the time comes. No constitution of the party rotates governorship from one senatorial district to another.
