By Aregbesola, Akeredolu at war
Fresh revelations have revealed that there is no love lost between Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and his Osun state counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The bad blood between the two came in the front burner last week when the Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Bola Ilori was attacked by hired hoodlums at an APC conference on restructuring.
Ilori who led Osun state’s delegation to the meeting was attacked and stripped by thugs who were reportedly sponsored by top officials in the Ondo State government.
While many have condemned the act, Ondo State appeared indifferent as Ilori was infact blamed for the incident as they claim he was there uninvited.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi had in a interview claimed, Bola Ilori and his colleagues from Osun state were in Ondo to cause trouble.
“What happened is sad but avoidable. It is apparent the Osun delegates came prepared with thugs, charms, ammunition and cudgels to an event which was supposed to be an all-APC event,” Olowolabi said.
This has however drew the anger of the Osun State government who have come to condemn the act and the state credited to Olowolabi.
In a statement made available by Governor Aregbesola’s media aide, Sola Fasure, the Governor condemned the attack describing it as barbaric. The Governor disclosed that Bola Ilori only suffered an attack which was meant for him by “some top government officials” in Ondo.
The statement further described Olowolabi’s comment as “highly undiplomatic and not expected from a commissioner of that status.”
Observers have now posited that unfolding events only show the silent war which has been brewing between both states since the last electioneering period in Ondo State. Despite Akeredolu emerging Governor, it was an open secret that he wasn’t the choice of the leadership of the party in the South-West. Akeredolu BlackBox Nigeria learnt had since the election silently held a grudge against his Osun counterpart due to the latter’s involvement in working against his emergence.
It was further alleged that Bola Ilori who is an indigene of Ondo also has an ambition to govern the state. A move which has pitched him against several powers that be in Ondo.
