Tambuwal in Osun, says state is peaceful

Against the backdrop of widespread allegations that there is tension in Osun State, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, on Saturday said the opposite was what he found in the state.

According to the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy of the state, Semiu Okanlawon, Tambuwal described Osun as calm and peaceful just as he said allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party that Governor Rauf Aregbesola plans to secede remains “mere allegations.”

Tambuwal, who paid a courtesy visit to Governor Aregbesola, said he found no checkpoints or police barricades on the roads leading to Osogbo, the state capital.

He stated that he was impressed with the way the governor was managing the affairs of the state.

He said, “I have come to Osogbo. I have not seen barricades. I have not seen any security checkpoints, which suggests that there is peace and calm here.

The governor is a gentleman. He is down-to-earth and I believe he is committed to the vision of transformation of Osun State and continued co-existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe that.

“I believe that after electioneering, politicians across the country should forget about what has gone past irrespective of party affiliation and face governance which is why they are elected in the first place.

“Nigeria is in dire need of attention and politicians should rise up to this occasion and move the country forward rather than engage themselves in unnecessary politicking.”

On the allegation that Osun State was planning to secede, Tambuwal said an allegation would always remain an allegation until its veracity had been established.

“Allegations are always allegation until they are proven. If you go to the United States, Congress members have the flags of their respective states on their table in addition to the flag of the United States. So there is nothing special in this.”

Aregbesola thanked the Speaker for his visit, observing that the National Assembly is the heart of governance. He noted that it would take a clear-headed, mature mind and a patriot to do what the Speaker had done irrespective of their party differences.