Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the rumours making the round that the Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, was planning to secede Osun State from Nigeria as senseless and unthinkable.
He spoke with newsmen on Friday in Ado-Ekiti after paying a condolence visit to his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, over the death of his mother, Mrs. Dorcas Aina Fayemi, on Saturday.
The governor said that those behind the rumours were disgruntled politicians who were feeling jittery over the outstanding performance of Aregbesola, whom he said, had transformed Osun State to the consternation of his detractors.
Ajimobi described Aregbesola as a patriotic and godly Nigerian, whom he said remained committed to the unity and progress of his fatherland.
He said: “Those who are saying these are politicians of yesterday who could not win elections; who are afraid of the performance of Aregbesola.
“See how he is changing Osun State and for anyone to turn around and say that he wants to secede, how is he trying to secede?
“It is a very pedestrian accusation and I think Nigerians are wiser now.
“Nobody can deceive them with all those insinuations.”
On the hoisting of Osun State flag by Aregbesola, Ajimobi said that there was nothing abnormal about it, as some other governors in the country also do so.
“In fact, I am going to start flying my state flag from next week,” he declared.
Ajimobi extolled the virtues of the late Fayemi’s mother, saying that she lived a godly and fulfilled life.
“We shall miss her wise counsel at all times, but we take solace in the fact that she lived a religious and fulfilled life,” he remarked.
The governor enjoined the people of Ekiti State to continue to support the Fayemi administration which, he said, was committed to the growth and development of the state and its people.