The alleged rift between ex-governor Olusegun Osoba and current governor Ibikunle Amosun, both chiefs of the leading opposition party in Nigeria, the APC, is far from being over.
Former Governor Osoba said he is old enough to be Amosun’s father and as such he had no issues with him.
In his words: “Where did you hear in Yoruba land that a father would be taken to his son to settle a rift? I am 75 years old. He is 56. I am old enough to be his father. Would I now sit down and be exchanging words with someone young enough to be my child?
“I have no problem with him. He only has to make peace with the party members; not me. I have said it, let nobody moot the idea that they are bringing him to me. Let him go to the party members whom he is joining issues with.”
He spoke to Punch in response to the alleged internal wrangling in the Ogun State chapter of the APC, which led to the party having parallel excos in the state with one loyal to Osoba and the other loyal to Amosun.
The APC chieftain insisted that rather than see him as a contender, Amosun should approach party members in the state for amicable settlement of any presumed rift.
He said, “I am not the issue. What else do I want to be? Is it president or Vice-President? By the special grace of God, I am 75 years old. If at 75 I am still relevant politically, shouldn’t I be thanking God? How many of my peers in journalism are still relevant, save Alhaji Lateef Jakande? I have cause to thank God. I am not contending with anybody over anything.”
When asked why the state chapter of the APC had parallel executives, Osoba said, “It is the party members who know why they did that. You should speak with them, not me. I am thankful to God for bringing me this far. In journalism, politics and social circles, people still give me respect. What else do I want? I should not press it too much. We have all the senators in the state, House of Reps members, and other party stalwarts. We have Odunsi, Gbenga Kaka who is also a former deputy governor. There are a lot of good people you can speak with.”
The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Lai Mohammed, however, said the national leadership of the party had stepped into the issue. “The issue will be resolved,” he assured.
No comments:
Post a Comment