APC Defends Osun Speaker Over Comment On Oyetola’s Return As Governor

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has risen in defense of the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye over his comment about the come back of the immediate past governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola.

The Osun APC reacted to criticism from the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which blamed the speaker for saying that Oyetola would return to office before July 15 2023.

As reported by Naija News earlier, Owoeye was slammed by the PDP for predicting the return of Oyetola to power.

The Osun State Chairman of the party, Dr Adekunle Akindele claimed that the speaker’s comment about Oyetola returning to power before July 5, 2023, was an act of  betrayal to his oath of office and undermining the sanctity of state authority.

The PDP chieftain said the party was alarmed that a sitting Speaker openly “exposed a sinister agenda to undermine the integrity of the judiciary by making proclamations on a matter that is subjudice.”

The PDP’s outburst follows Owoeye earlier prediction at the inauguration of the Osun State branch of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in Osogbo on Thursday that the  Oyetola would return to office as governor before July 5 2023.

The speaker said “In 2019, the Supreme Court gave its final verdict on July 5, affirming the victory of Oyetola as governor. If you know them, go and tell them that before July 5, 2023, Oyetola will be returned as Osun Governor.

“They thought they could manipulate the results of the election in their favour, but we thank God that the results of the Bimodal Voter’s Accreditation System exposed them. The defeat suffered by the All Progressives Congress in the July 16 Osun governorship poll was a temporary setback.”

However rising in his defence, the Osun State APC said it was rather worrisome that the PDP leadership in the state succeeded in exhibiting crass ignorance of democratic norms.

In a statement signed by the Osun APC Acting Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Friday, the party submitted that the Osun PDP cannot suppress Owoeye’s freedom of expression because of his party affiliation alleging that overtures had been made by the new government to procure his loyalty.

The APC advanced that “The decision of Owoeye to wish his party and its candidate well in their struggle at the election tribunal does not run riot with the laws of the land.

“The earlier the grotesque leaders of the Osun PDP learn to appreciate the difference between Owoeye, as the Speaker of the House, and Owoeye as a principal member of the APC, the better for them.

“The PDP’s vituperations over nothing are daily becoming alarming, irritating and disheartening. The repulsive attitude should be a source of concern for the discerning minds in the society.”

Lawal also called on Adeleke to stop heating up the polity and contend himself with plans on how to navigate the huge administrative challenges before him and his party