Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, were noticeably absent at the All Progressives Congress mega rally for the re-election of Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, held in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The mega rally committee in a statement on Monday, signed by its spokesperson, Funke Egbemode, had listed Osinbajo as one of the guests expected at the rally. But the Interior Minister was not listed.

Some of the governors in attendance included: Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Abdulrahaman Abudulrasak of Kwara, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and Prof. Babagana Zullum of Borno States.

Also in attendance were; a former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; the 2023 APC presidential flagbearer and his running mate, Senator Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima respectively.

When asked why his principal did not attend the rally, the media adviser to the Interior Minister, Mr Sola Fasure, said Aregbesola was not invited for the event.

Fasure, who also said Aregbesola was not a member of the APC campaign council for Osun poll, further noted that the Minister was attending an official event in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said, “He is not a member of the campaign committee, but officially he went to the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos. It was an official visit. He was not invited (for Osun rally). He is not in the campaign council. He was not invited by either the candidate or the party. There is also a case in court because he supported a candidate, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and the case will come up on Thursday.”

Speaking at the rally, the APC National Chairman, Adamu declared that the party was not leaving anything to chance with Osun election.

He said, “This is a mega rally to promote our candidate. We are taking no chances with the affairs of Osun because the state deserves a leader like Oyetola in its quest for development. This is why we have come in full strength to support him in a bid to ensure his re-election. Those who have a fair mind will testify that he has done so much since he became governor in 2018.

“We are here not only to testify to what he has done but to appeal to you to turn out in large numbers to vote massively for him. We are anticipating a better outcome than what we had in Ekiti and by the grace of God, we are sure of victory. I want you to be the APC ambassadors, telling those who are not here what you have seen. Continue to spread the good works of this government in the nooks and crannies of the state. We are not leaving any chances with the affairs of Osun.”

Also speaking, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, lauded Oyetola’s efficiency in managing the state’s meagre resources, calling on citizens to look beyond political sentiments in their choice of who to elect, and to vote massively for Oyetola.

In his remarks, the APC presidential flagbearer, Senator Bola Tinubu, urged the people of Osun State to replicate the victory recorded last month in Ekiti.

READ ALSO: Osun 2022: IGP Deploys Four AIGs, Others, Redeploys CP

He said, “We have come to ask that you vote massively on Saturday for the APC, not as a mark of entitlement, but because of the future of your children.

“Before you make your decision, think of the future. We are a party that guarantees your future because we are known for fulfilling our promises. Let us entrust the affairs of our state into the hands of those who mean business, not mushroom parties.”

Osun State Governor, Oyetola, urged the people, especially workers, to shun political traducers who are peddling falsehood that his administration would renege in its commitment to their welfare if re-elected, saying he remained strongly committed to their welfare.

He also declared readiness to do beyond what he had done in his first term, saying the welfare of workers and citizens and the overall development of Osun remained his priority.

PUNCH