SAN FRANCISCO, January 26, (THEWILL) – Frontline critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Ayodele Fayose, of Ekiti State, has paid a historic visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, APC, Osun State, on Tuesday, as part of his efforts to foster unity among Yoruba leaders.
Governor Fayose stated said that he was not in Osun for any political reason adding that he was not ready to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
He declared that against all speculations from some quarters that he was coming to Osogbo to ask Aregbesola help him beg Buhari, he was rather in Osun for the unity of Yoruba race because the Yoruba race was greater than any political office.
The governor averred that the visit of the Ooni of Ife to the 45th coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo was instructive, hence the need for every Yoruba sons and daughters to see to the unity and progress of the race.
“This is my first official visit to any APC state in Nigeria. I am not in Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to help me beg as being speculated in some quarters. We are all Yoruba, politics is like water, it can flow anywhere,” he said.
“I was moved by the historic visit of the Ooni of Ife to the Alaafin of Oyo and I am of the opinion that the Yoruba leaders must unite. The Yoruba nation must not be rubbished. Our leaders must not be rubbished irrespective of the political they belong to.
“I believe in the Yoruba race, the race comes first before the office of the governor. The race is eternal while that of governor is momentary.
“I remain in PDP to play the opposition role,” he declared.
“Opposition is the major ingredient of democracy and without opposition in a democracy, there will be dictatorship. Those promoting dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomach of the dictator.”
Responding, Governor Aregbesola described the visit of Governor Fayose to Osun as demonstration of maturity, saying it takes a matured human being to know that at the end of every public office, he will be left with humanity.
“Osoko has said that he is not going to leave his party, but I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted its stay in Nigeria, it can no longer be revived, let us look at a political party that will give hope to our people. Opposition must be for a purpose, I stand by you on the unity of Yoruba land and that our leaders not put down in the country.”
Story by David Oputah
