Outgoing Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed why he turned down the Osun East senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 election.
Aregbesola, whose second term as governor expires on November 27, said he decided against picking up the senatorial ticket so that he could rest after eight years of being Osun governor.
The governor disclosed this at his last interactive session with the people of Osun in an event tagged #OgbeniTillDayBreak.
The event which held at the WOCDIF Centre in Osogbo, had in attendance the Governor-Elect, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, Deputy Governor-Elect, Benedict Gboyega Alabi, Chairman, APC in the State of Osun, Prince Gboyega Famodun and other top government functionaries.
Aregbesola also had a media chat with journalists in the state.
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Explaining his decision not to seek senatorial seat in 2019, the governor said:
The reason why I didn’t pick up the senatorial ticket is very simple. I have been active politically since my secondary school days.
I simply want to rest #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
Aregbesola showered praise on his deputy, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori for being a pillar of support.
He said:
Many at times, Encomium is showered on the person of the governor, without a mention of the deputy.
I want to specially acknowledge Otunba Grace Titi Laoye Tomori for her unalloyed support over the last 8 years. #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 16, 2018
Speaking on the successes of his administration, Aregbesola said:
My greatest achievement has to be our social investment program.
Our people now refer to themselves as Omoluabis.
If properly internalized, 50% of our problems as a race would have been solved. #Friyay
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
Our school feeding program which we revived and expanded is live changing.
We put together a youth empowerment program that is acclaimed worldwide. #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
Osun has the lowest youth unemployment rate in country.
Nothing else gladdens my heart than these. #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
Also, Aregbesola said he has no regrets for his policy decisions, some of which pitched him against the people of the state, and would continue along the same line if given another opportunity.
He said:
I have no regrets in governance. Given another chance to govern, I would continue along this same path #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
However my party is different from me and if there are areas the party feels I could have done better, they are free to advise the incoming governor to make such amends. #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
In the same vein, Aregbesola dispelled rumours of a rift with his incoming successor, Gboyega Oyetola.
He said:
Rumors of a discord between myself and my successor are at best what you described them as; Rumors #OgbeniTillDayBreak
— Rauf Aregbesola (@raufaregbesola) November 17, 2018
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