Osun: APC campaign council, debate organizer trade tackles over Oyetola’s absence

A non-governmental organisation has responded to a claim by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Osun State that its arrangement of a governorship debate is “mischievous”, and “misleading”.

The Crownrise Development Initiative had organised “the Office of the Citizen debate” on Rave FM 91.7FM on Saturday and listed Governor Gboyega Oyetola as one of the participants, but he failed to grace the event.

However, in a statement signed by the Osun APC Campaign Council, it said the organizers did not invite the Governor.

“The organisers of the debate, either deliberately or inadvertently, have chosen to mislead the public by listing Governor Gboyega Oyetola as one of the participants in the debate, despite failing to invite him.

“Aside being a contestant in the election, Gboyega Oyetola is also the sitting governor, and governance of the state has not been put on hold by him because of the election. Hence, this mischievous arrangement cannot be accommodated as there is already a scheduled campaign for the day.”

On the other hand, the organisation said the release of the Osun APC Campaign Council is a “disappointment”, “unfounded” and not a true reflection of what happened.”

It claimed it invited the Governor through Adigun Ismail at the APC secretariat and followed up the invite.

“Citizens should know what those who want to lead them have as a plan and the APC Campaign Council should stop misleading the public.

“Information through our follow-up mechanism also affirmed the Governor was aware but needed to be briefed appropriately,” it said.

“There is still more chance for Governor Gboyega Oyetola and other candidates to tell the people of what they have in plan and stop doing the blame game of not following the right channel for Invitation as acclaimed by APC Campaign Council.

“Election should not be a jamboree type and at that citizens must know the plans of those who will lead the state in the next four years.”