AREGBESOLA COMPLETES REVALIDATION EXERCISE..... Says Chief Bola Ige Remains Leader

"Chief Bola Ige stood all his life for a compassionate government, commitment to the good of the majority and ideas that would bring the good life, happiness, progress and security to the people".... Aregbesola.

.... "Influx of leaders and members of the opposition PDP and other political parties into the APC, is part of the democratic process". 

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Honourable Minister of Interior, has on Friday, revalidated his membership as a bonafide member of the ruling All Progressive Congress party, at his Ward 8 in Ifofin, in Ilesa East Local Government, Osun state. 

A statement issued by Sola Fasure, Media Adviser to the Interior Minister, revealed that the for Governor arrived Osun in company of his wife, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola and his sons, Abdulkabir and Rauf, Jnr.

According to Fasure, the trip to Ilesa, which was by road, lasted for four hours and was received by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, well-wishers and party members at Ibodi. 

The crowd, which included drummers and residents of Ifofin, welcomed the Honourable Minister with jubilation and fanfare. 

Aregbesola, who was officially received by party leaders, government officials (past and present) including his former aides, was awed by the reception accorded him. 

Leading the reception team was Pa Kunle Odeyemi, the leader of the APC in Ijesaland.

Others included Elder Lowo Adebiyi who was State Chairman of the party; the Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Timothy Owoeye and his wife; and Hon Idowu Korede, his Commissioner for Environment when he was governor in the state. 

Other top party leaders and dignitaries present were Barrister Kolapo Alimi, his then Commissioner for Local Government, Hon Biyi Odunlade, his then Commissioner for Sports and Special Needs, Hon Kunle Ige, his then Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Engr Kazeem Salami, his then Commissioner for Works and Transport, Barrister Gbenga Akano, his then Special Adviser on Tax Matters, Hon Muyideen Olateju, his then Special Adviser on Science and Innovation, Hon Tunde Ajilore, his then Special Adviser on Natural and Mineral Resources, Hon Ademola Adeyinka, his then Special Adviser on Public Production and Efficiency, Honourable Wale Alabi, his then Senior Special Assistant on Regional Integration and several others.

On the conclusion of his revalidation, the former Governor displayed his slip to an enthusiastic roar from the crowd present. 

He thanked those who came to receive him and those at the venue, for honouring him with their presence.

Speaking on the influx of leaders and members of the opposition PDP and other political parties into the APC, the Minister told the gathering that it is part of the democratic process for all kinds of people, even those with questionable and unedifying past, to cross into the progressive, people-centred party. 

He noted however that, the members have a moral duty to ensure that such elements do not occupy leadership positions and use it to subvert and derail the party. 

He told them of the imperative of internal democracy in the party.

Ogbeni Aregbesola reminded the people that Chief Bola Ige was their leader and stood all his life for a compassionate government, commitment to the good of the majority and ideas that would bring the good life, happiness, progress and security to the people. 

He urged them to be conscious of those who continue to dance on Ige’s grave and avoid anything that would dishonour the late stateman’s memory.

Aregbesola assured the people of working towards greater success of the party and of his commitment to progressive ideals. 

He reminded them that he emerged in Osun on the Oranmiyan platform 17 years ago, and with others, fought the agents of darkness and regression and firmly consolidated the party in the state. 

"This effort has produced two successive progressive administrations in the state and also won presidential and national legislative elections thrice since then", he said.

He noted to that it would be difficult for those who lack such pedigree to displace him in the party in the state.

In closing, he delivered the message of President Muhammadu Buhari on his resolve to tackle the problems the nation is facing, especially on security. 

He assured them that President Buhari and the Federal Executive Council are working hard to make these challenges a thing of the past.