Why attacks on Aregbesola cannot distract him —Ex-Minister

Chief Akin Olujinmi

• As Gov explains zeal over electoral mandate

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujinmi, says the courage with which Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has carried on despite unending attacks is the reason for his achievements .

According to Olujimi, the Governor has demonstrated well enough that he was fully prepared for the office before contesting.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) also said Aregbesola should expect more attacks on his person and government given his giant strides at redefining governance in the country.

Mr.Akeredolu said detractors who have been spewing falsehood about the governor and his administration do not know how resilient he can be when pursuing a cause. said

This attribute,they said was demonstrated when the legal battle to reclaim his mandate was on.

Olujimi, Akeredolu and other eminent lawyers spoke in Osogbo during a dinner in honour of lawyers who handled Aregbesola's petition to claim his mandate.

Other prominent lawyers at the dinner were Mr. Ebun Shofunde, former Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Chief Charles Edonsonwon (SAN), Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN), Mr. Basiru Ajibola who is now the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration in Osun and a host of others.

The Governor, at the occasion, noted that he was so zealous about the case because he was convinced that he won the election, adding that the clearest signal of his victory was that in Osogbo, the state capital and all the ancient towns in the state, the sitting government did not win, especially in Osogbo where it did not win a single polling unit.

Aregbesola also added that it would have been disastrous if he did not pursue the case with such zeal considering the number of party loyalists who believed in his cause of becoming the governor of the state but were killed during the struggle.

The governor said: "Why I was so zealous about the case was that I was convinced that we won the case. The clearest signal of our victory was Osogbo the capital. Osogbo is the melting point of every one in Osun, the seat of government is here, and again, a week to the election, all of us were chased out of the state. We were not allowed to campaign. I was declared wanted and had to smuggle myself into the town on the eve of the election. Despite all of these, that government did not win a polling booth in the capital city where it resided.

"I did not have to consult an oracle to know that the people of Osun wanted me. To add to the fact that we were wanted by the people was the fact that for them to even get their fake victory; they had to kill over a dozen of our supporters and agents.