Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iwo Federal Constituency, comprising Iwo, Ayedire and Olaoluwa Local Governments, on Thursday, 23 December, 2021 converged on the ancient town of Iwo in a show of support to the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
Oyetola is seeking reelection for second term mid 2022. The solidarity rally was in apparent show of the strength of the APC in the Federal Constituency as opposed to the rumour making the round that some politician, who broke away from the APC are now in control of the constituency.
People from the three local governments trooped out to show their commitment to the second term bid of Governor Oyetola.
They later assembled at the Oluwo Palace Square where they made the declaration in support of Oyetola’s re-election.
In his speech, the Special Adviser to Governor Oyetola on Political Matters, Alhaji Gbadebo Badru, said the most important thing to do is to ensure that Oyetola is re-elected.
“We have seen several things that Oyetola has done for us. I want to assure you that everything Governor Oyetola promised, he will still do them all.
“They have started again. They want us in Iwoland to suffer again like they did in 2018. We won’t allow it to happen anymore.
“Alhaji Moshood Adeoti was Secretary to the State Government for eight years, Iwo-Osogbo Road was completely abandoned. He was also the Chairman, Tenders Board for eight years, overseeing all government contracts, he couldn’t do anything about our roads.
“Adeoti did not resign or leave the party until he was denied governorship ticket. That is because of his selfish interest. But we won’t allow him to lead us astray in Iwoland. It won’t happen anymore.
“Iwo Federal Constituency has decided. We are standing with Oyetola. Adeoti should go and calm down and not bring bad things to us in Iwoland.
“Let us all calm down. After Oyetola, then we can talk about West by the Grace of God,” he said.
In his turn, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Olasunkanmi Isamotu, said people of the constituency must come together and make themselves like the broom which is the emblem of the party.
He said all attempts to divide the people in the constituency have yielded no fruits with the crowd that gathered at the rally.
According to him, Oyetola’s performance has been the motivating factor for the people’s support, noting that the re-election of the Governor will bring glad tidings to the Osun West Senatorial District as the next political zone to produce the Governor of the state.
He warned that any attempt to derail the second term of the Governor signposted a great obstacle to the political ascendancy of the West Senatorial District.
“We should be united in confronting the political opponents. I don’t think anyone can stand in front of a moving train of a united people.
“All we need to do is to talk to ourselves, come together and iron out any perceived differences amongst ourselves and present a common front. With this, victory is certain for us.
“The coming election and the second term is assured for our Governor,” Isamotu said.
Also addressing the party crowd and supporters at the event, Dr. Amidu Tadese, a former Chief Whip of the State Assembly in 1992 and serving Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, noted that Oyetola is the first Governor that loves Iwoland, adding that members of The Osun Progressives, TOP were in government for eight years when the State was bouyant but did not play any major role in Iwoland.
He said, “The only road that Aregbesola claimed to do in Iwo was done by Kamorudeen Alao’s LG administration.
“Oyetola has started works on Lawyer Atanda road. After that, he will do Odoori to Adeeke and two other major roads.
“In the last 7 months, Oyetola has been sending us food monthly. Apart from that, our water works was established in 1952. Since then, it has been abandoned. Now, Oyetola has awarded the contract for its rehabilitation.
“Some people were there for 8 years, they couldn’t do anything. Now, they are back. We won’t allow them to spoil Iwoland,” he added.
Also speaking at the occasion, Hon. Leke Ogunsola, Chairman Primary Healthcare Development Board, commended the people for coming out en mass to declare their support for the Governor.
Hon. Ogunsola advised that the people should be wary of those who are hell bent on derailing and destroying the smooth running governance in the state.
Other dignitaries at the event included: Hon. Kamorudeen Alao, Osun APC State Secretary-elect; Engr. Mumini Olabanji, Special Adviser on Rural Development and Community Affairs; Hon. Rahman Lawal, Chairman, Iwo East LCDA among many others.