Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has proclaimed a new Executive Order to protect Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from being chased out of the state.
Aregbesola was at loggerhead with his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola throughout the latter’s tenure.
However, Governor Adeleke, who was speaking at the commissioning of Nigeria Immigration Service passport office in Ilesa, Osun state on Tuesday said the Minister is free to enter the state as he wishes
“I am issuing an Executive Order, protecting you, nobody can pursue you from this state. It is your state, nobody can stop you from coming in as you like. You are making us proud.
“I will invite you to the commissioning of the ongoing structure inside the government house in Osogbo after completing the building and you will sleep in the building after the event”.
The Minister had during his opening remark, acknowledged and appreciated the Governor for honouring him with his (Governor’s) presence, saying former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, despite being of the same party, attended his numerous programmes in the state only once.
“I want to acknowledge and appreciate you (Gov. Adeleke) for honouring me with your presence. I left this state as a former Governor some years ago.
“As a Minister, I have attended several event in the state, the former Governor, despite being from the same party attended only one of those events.
Now, Governor Adeleke, from a different party, honoured me with his presence in my first event in the state. I really appreciate you”, he said.
The highlight of the event was the exchange of hugs, handshakes which were followed by thrilling dance dance steps from the two political war horses, throwing the excitable audience into fits of frenzy.
A two term governor, Aregbesola had in the build up to the APC governorship primaries in the state refused to endorse the former governor and governorship candidate of the party, Gboyega Oyetola over irreconcilable differences.
Although there were rumours that Aregbesola tacitly supported Adeleke’s emergence, the former governor was largely uninvolved in the governorship campaign politicking, opting to travel outside of the country during that period.
