The visit of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has begun to cause anxiety within the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State.
Our correspondent gathered on Wednesday that the leadership of the party was worried by the visit of Aregbesola and other leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress to Oyinlola, who is an estranged National Secretary of the PDP.
Following the visit, the Chairman of the PDP in Osun State, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, in a statement issued on Wednesday, warned members of the party against fraternising with members of the opposition and suspended members of the PDP.
Olaoluwa urged leaders and members of the PDP to seek necessary clarifications from the secretariat. Olaoluwa stated that there was no reason to divide the party since a governorship candidate had emerged.
He said that every member of the party should unite and work for the victory of the party in August 9 governorship election and beyond.
The statement reads, “Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has advised its members to seek clearance from the Secretariat before attending or convening meetings.
“The advice becomes necessary to guard against members fraternising with suspended members or members of the opposition.
“The party will not treat any member who attends unauthorised meetings with kid gloves.
“Since a governorship candidate has emerged, all hands are expected to be on deck to ensure the victory of the party come August 9.”
Before Aregbesola’s visit to Oyinlola’s residence, former Governor Isiaka Adeleke who boycotted the PDP primary election on the election’s eve and another governorship aspirant, Mr. Wole Oke, had visited Oyinlola at his residence where they attended the Easter party.
Adeleke and Omisore are still at loggerheads as a result of the primary election which the latter eventually won.
Aregbesola, who confirmed his visit to his predecessor’s residence, said that he went to celebrate with him adding that there was nothing unusual about the visit.
Aregbesola’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, had said that there was nothing unusual about the visit of his principal to his predecessor.
He said, “The visit was in the spirit of Easter season. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is a former governor, an eminent person and a Christian. I don’t think the visit should raise eyebrows. They have met at different functions in the past. So there is nothing strange about the visit.”