The? Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that, but for the intervention of God and the unflinching support of the people of the state and beyond, the state would have been disrupted by political adversaries.
The governor made this disclosure when a League of Imams and Alfas, South-West, Edo and Delta, led by its President-General, Sheikh Mustapha Olayiwola Ajisafe, paid him a courtesy visit on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The State Security Service, in a secret report had alleged that the governor planned to Islamise the state and secede from the country, following which a newspaper publication claimed that there was tension in the state.
Aregbesola said if the plan to upset peace in Osun State had worked, the state would have been in chaos and disorder, after widespread allegation of imaginary tension in the state. He revealed that the planned destruction of peace in the state started months ago with various allegations, ranging from untrue reports that he (the governor) had a broken leg, that he suffered a terminal disease, and later that they doubted his sanity status.
Aregbesola stated that God intervened and thwarted the enemy’s evil stratagems, saying the three-man American delegation and the Speaker of House of Representatives’ visit had vindicated the state, as it was said to be free and peaceful.
He described the clerics’ visit as an affirmation of the support and confidence the people still repose in his government. It will be recalled that the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Osun State Chapter had earlier paid similar visit to the governor to reaffirm its support for his government.
Ogbeni Aregbesola said: “Your visit has once more confirmed to the whole world that there is no tension in Osun State. During the week, American delegates and the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, visited the state, which is an indication that the state is peaceful.
“The visit has exposed the lies by those who wanted the state engulfed in chaos. This game plan did not start yesterday. It has been on for long. The first rumour they peddled was that I had broken my leg. Later, they claimed that I had a terminal ailment, and when this did not work, they alleged that I was insane and demanded my physician to make public my health status. This one too died down like the previous tales.
“Again, they alleged there was a rift between me and my deputy. All these lies crumbled like a pack of cards. Then they played the religion card, claiming we wanted to Islamise the state and that Christians and Muslims have stood up in arms against themselves. But for the intervention of God, the state would have been on fire. There was never a time I held any secret meeting with leaders of any religion. This government has treated all the religions equally. One thing I know is that Yoruba people are accommodating. They have never fought over religion and it will never happen.”
In his response, Sheikh Ajisafe thanked the Aregbesola for his leadership quality and the open door policy of his administration. He noted that since he came to power, his administration had recorded huge success in the area of job creation, agriculture, channelisation of some flood-prone areas in the state among other programmes.
The cleric noted that however a man tried, he could not earn the commendation of his enemies, and thus advised the governor to remain steadfast and continue his good work, adding that their visit was a solidarity one, indicating the organisation’s support for the government.