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Adeleke Never Rejected Tinubu’s APC Invitation, Spokesperson Counters Fadahunsi
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Adeleke Never Rejected Tinubu’s APC Invitation, Spokesperson Counters Fadahunsi
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The spokesperson to Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has faulted claims by Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi that Governor Ademola Adeleke rejected several invitations from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rasheed said the governor never turned down the President’s invitation, insisting that efforts to facilitate Adeleke’s entry into the APC were frustrated by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, and leaders of the Osun APC.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Rasheed described the senator’s comments as an attempt to distort facts that remain fresh in the public consciousness.
“The facts surrounding the exchanges between the Presidency and Governor Adeleke are already in the public domain and have been acknowledged by key actors on both sides,” he said.
According to him, Governor Adeleke responded positively to the President’s invitation and even met with Tinubu alongside members of his family.
“Governor Adeleke responded to the invitation of Mr President.
He actually met the President with his family members. But the process was truncated by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola.
“The public is fully aware of the development. Senator Fadahunsi cannot twist or falsify history,” Rasheed stated.
The governor’s spokesman further described Fadahunsi’s remarks as “a failed and weak attempt to rewrite history that is still very fresh in the minds of Nigerians and the people of Osun State.”
Rasheed also noted that despite the failed move, Adeleke went ahead to publicly endorse President Tinubu’s re-election bid while still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has maintained that position since joining the Accord Party.
“After he was blocked, the governor moved ahead to endorse the re-election of Mr President, first while he was in the PDP and now that he is in the Accord Party. Governor Adeleke has also recently outlined the reasons behind his endorsement of the President,” he said.
Responding to other criticisms directed at the governor, Rasheed dismissed them as inconsequential, arguing that Adeleke continues to enjoy widespread support across the state due to the performance of his administration.
“All other personal attacks on the governor by Senator Fadahunsi are immaterial. The governor is daily receiving endorsements from multiple sectors of Osun society. From all corners of the state, residents and indigenes appreciate the extraordinary performance of the governor,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Adeleke’s political prospects ahead of the August 15 governorship election, saying public support for the governor remains strong.
“The governor holds his head high as he rides on the grace of God and the people to victory on August 15. No amount of historical falsification can change reality.
From the Presidency to the grassroots, the governor is widely acknowledged as a true agent of development and a man of the people,” Rasheed added.
