Gov Oyetola, Interior Minister Aregbesola Set For Another Round Of Quarrel
The governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola are appeared set for yet another battle, information pieced together by highstreet.ng has shown.
Aregbesola, who is currently the Minister of Interior in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, ruled Osun State between 2010 and 2018.
Incumbent governor Oyetola served in his administration as Chief of Staff.
Their (Aregbesola and Oyetola) conflict, this time, centres around who determines who become Local Government Area councils bosses in the state.
According to information, the tenure of the present local council chairmen in the state will lapse in December 2020.
“It is the plan of governor Oyetola to appoint caretaker chairmen to oversee the affairs of the 30 local councils and LCDAs across the state…, and that is expected to take shape in December”, a source confirmed.
Sources maintained governor Oyetola is pushing for a situation where he single-handedly determines who gets what as far as the grass-root appointments are concerned.
While former governor Aregbesola, on the other hand, is said to be scheming behind the scene to have his loyalists installed.
The development is said to have set the two powerful men in the state’s politics against each other, with the incumbent vowing not to allow his predecessor have any say.
“I can confirm to you, Aregbesola and the governor are on warpath again, it’s just that they prosecuting it discreetly”, an insider pointed out.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Mr. Aregbesola and his successor will be engaging in a battle of wits.
An earlier report by highstreet.ng indicated a similar scenario played out when Aregbesola wanted to install his Son- Kabiru Aregbesola – as Chief of Staff to the governor. The move the Alhaji Oyetola reportedly rejected.
Also, in 2019, the duo had a heated disagreement on who becomes the Speaker of Osun state House of Assembly.
Aregbesola eventually had his way, his candidate, Timothy Owoeye emerged against the wish of the man who took over from him, who reportedly favoured another lawmaker, Tunde Olatunji.
Tunde Olatunji, a brother to actor Damola Olatunji, is the member representing Ife North State constituency.
Oyetola’s continual undoing of several education policies put in place by Aregbesola’s previous administration in Osun State was equally cited as one of the reasons their relationship has transformed a frosty one.
