The swearing-in of Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Governor of Osun State was held on Sunday.
The event had in attendance prominent persons, stakeholders of the PDP, supporters and the people of Osun State.
However, to the surprise of many, the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rasaq Salinsile, a faction supported by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola attended the inauguration on Sunday.
Salinsile’s presence at the inauguration of Adeleke as the Osun State Governor has stirred reactions among members of the opposition party.
Although the factional APC Chairman was not introduced at the event, pictures of him at the event were spotted online.
Another ally of the Minister of Interior who was the former Commissioner for Sports, Biyi Odunlade also attended the event.
Some other members of ‘The Osun Progressives’ also attended Adeleke’s inauguration.
Some people in reaction to the APC member’s presence at the event have expressed displeasure with the action.
Odunlade while speaking on his presence at the event in an interview with Punch said he attended the inauguration as a senior citizen of the state and former member of the State Executive Council.
He said, “I didn’t hide. I attended that programme as a citizen of Osun State. I also identified with the new change based on the fact that once a governor has been elected, he becomes governor for everybody. I didn’t attend as a TOP member.
“I attended as a former Commissioner who was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony. I didn’t hide. If you look at the pictures, I took them with former cabinet members, we were together in Aregbesola’s cabinet. They are Dr Wale Bolorunduro and Prof. Bukola Oyawoye.”
The Secretary of the APC faction loyal to Aregbesola, Lani Baderinwa when asked if the group would sanction those who attended the event, he said, “At our meeting, if the matter comes up for discussion, then a decision would be taken. I also saw some pictures.”
An aide to the former governor, Sunday Akere, while reacting to the development, expressed disappointment about the action of the APC members that attended the event.
Akere said, “It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation. It is good that the enemies within are exposing themselves gradually. Initially, the argument of these people is that they want to reorganise the party.
“Even at the election, they refused to admit that they worked for the PDP, telling the whole world they didn’t do it. We know who the TOP leaders went there to represent. We are not surprised. But I want to assure you the party would adequately take care of the situation and respond to it this week.”
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