As the 2018 governorship election in Osun State draws nearer, gladiators have been engaging in different activities to outwit one another – especially those in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Trust our Parrots, they were at the recently-held 50th birthday carnival hosted in honour of Alhaji Semiu Okanlawon, the Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Information and Strategy. Venue was the prestigious Riverside Resorts and Hotels, Odo Oba, Iwo-Ibadan Road, Iwo Town.
Even though Parrots are still not too sure if the official ban on declaration of interest by those who want to occupy Governor Aregbesola’s seat has been lifted, it was obvious that the birthday celebration was a deft move by Okanlawon’s friends who organized the event.
That Governor Aregbesola, against all expectations, was able to graciously show up was the ‘masterstroke high point’ of the event attended by the likes of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos (represented by Steve Ayorinde, his Information and Strategy Commissioner), Aare Gani Adams, Dr Adebayo Adewusi, Osun Governor’s Chief of Staff, Gboyega Oyetola and others.
Yes, Parrots, like every other person noticed that the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti was conspicuously absent. His reserved seat was directly opposite that of the governor on the high table.
Parrots overheard some of those on the high table asking why the SSG was absent.
As usual, one of our Parrots present said he overheard a party elder talking with another strongman of APC. He even quoted the elder. Read what the politician said:
“SSG and Semiu Okanlawon have been engaged in hunter and monkey game. The hunter is stretching his neck to get a clear view of the monkey while the monkey on the other hand is squatting, crouching to escape being detected or seen clearly. That is the game. And all of us in the party know that the governorship ticket has been unofficially given to us at Osun West Senatorial District.
“Funny enough, Semiu Okanlawon that had not been reckoned with has pulled the rug from under the feet of those who underestimated him. Such is life. So, the SSG’s decision to keep away is part of the game.”
Other big gladiators eyeing the guber seat from Osun West Senatorial District include Hon Najeem Salam, the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly who is from Ejigbo, Hon Lasun Yusuff, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and others. The game has just started…
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
