Aregbesola’s loyalists want court to sack Oyetola

Loyalists of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, were on Wednesday hopeful that the Federal High Court in Abuja would disqualify the Governor Gboyega Oyetola as the APC governorship candidate in Saturday’s election.

The Chairman of the faction, The Osun Progressives, Mr Lowo Adebiyi, in an interview with The Punch, however, said Aregbesola’s faction would vote for the APC on Saturday.

At the state APC governorship primary in February, Aregbesola’s faction supported Moshood Adeoti, who was the Secretary to the State Government when the minister was the governor of the state.

After Oyetola was declared winner of the primary, Adeoti headed for the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he is challenging the governor’s eligibility to contest the primary, while still serving as a member of the National Caretaker Committee of the party.

The court is expected to give its judgment on the suit on today.

Adebiyi expressed optimism that Adeoti would win the case.

He said, “We have a court judgment coming up Thursday by the grace of God and we are going to win that case for Alhaji Moshood Adeoti to represent the APC (at the governorship poll). We are going to vote for APC on Saturday. We are in the party.”

Asked if the group has been canvassing votes, Adebiyi said, “We are doing our best but we are not mobilised. The governor’s side refuses to mobilise us, but we have told our people to vote for APC.

“The APC will win by the grace of God and the support of the people. We are all concerned. We cannot be in the APC and vote for another party.”

But when contacted, the Media Adviser to the Osun State APC Chairman, Kola Olabisi, said there was no merit in the case instituted against Oyetola by Aregbesola’s faction.

He said, “Ideally no one is expected to comment on any issue before the court of law. We know that there is nothing in that case that will merit Adeoti and his people to be celebrating. We expect the court to say that Adeoti and his people have no case.

“So, the truth will prevail and we are confident that Oyetola will carry the day.”