Osun poll: Omisore, others in attendance as Akande meets APC leaders

Elders in the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress have met with a former governor of the state, Bisi Akande, to review the party’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

Although the meeting was held at Akande’s country home in the Ila Orangun area of the state on Saturday, a photograph taken after the meeting showing Akande and his deputy, Senator Iyiola Omisore, walking hand-in-hand went viral on Sunday.

Two participants at the meeting who preferred anonymity as they were not authorised to comment on the matter told The PUNCH that the party’s governorship campaigns were reviewed, and suggestions were made to further strengthen the party’s chances at the poll.

One of the sources said, “Many elders of the party were present and, majorly, the group, Osun APC Elders’ Caucus, reviewed the party’s campaigns so far and made some suggestions.”

Asked if Akande and Omisore held a private meeting after the meeting, the source said, “No, not to my knowledge. After the meeting, we all left. So I’m unaware of any private meeting between Baba Akande and Senator Omisore.”

When contacted for further comments on the said Akande-Omisore photograph, the Director-General, Omisore Campaign Organisation, Mr Ajibola Famurewa, who was also present at the meeting, confirmed that the photograph was taken at the meeting.

“It was after the meeting of the Osun APC Elder Caucus (Agba Osun) at Chief Bisi Akande’s house that Otunba and Baba Akande went to his dining room for lunch. The photograph was taken at the meeting.

“After the lunch, Baba escorted him out to his vehicle, and we had a very reasonable discussion, which was all about what we have to do to win the election. Everybody said what they had in mind,” Famurewa stated.

Giving further insight into the discussions at the meeting, Famurewa said, “Yesterday, we assessed the whole campaign and highlighted where we think we have issues. He (Omisore) provided solutions, and everyone rubbed minds together, and we arrived at a reasonable conclusion.”

The electorate in Osun State will be going to the poll on Saturday, August 15, to elect a governor and 14 political parties, including the current ruling party in the state, the Accord Party, fielding Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the APC, have been cleared to participate in the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission.