Chief Charles Idahosa, elder statesman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a Commissioner for Information in Edo state. In this interview with TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, he speaks on last weekend’s governorship election in Osun state, perspectives on the 2019 election and other issues. Excerpts:

Some analysts have said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got the upper hand in the just concluded Osun governorship election because the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola took the people of the state for granted especially in terms of workers welfare. Do you also share that view?

I tend to agree that Governor Aregbesola must have taken the people for granted because during his reelection in 2014, the state was completely paralysed. The civil servants were on strike. In fact, the election took place while they were on strike and he won. So, there is a tendency for him to think that whether the workers are paid or not, he will be home and dry; that it is business as usual. But times have changed.

With a new date announced for the supplementary election, what do you think your party must do to emerge victorious?

We must face the reality on ground. I think the Osun election has taught us a big lesson which is the era of incumbency is gone. That an incumbent governor is contesting or wants to install a successor doesn’t really matter again. We have to call on the national chairman of our party, who coincidentally is from Edo state that we should put our heads together and look at all the problems within the party with a view to resolve them as quickly as we can. We have enough time to look at the 36 state chapters of the party, including the FCT, address the challenges so that we can settle down because what happened in Osun state at the weekend doesn’t look good to me. We really need to set up a proper reconciliation committee because in Osun I was told that the APC governorship candidate, Gboyega Oyetola is from the same Senatorial district with Aregbesola. I don’t know how far that is true but I think he didn’t really listen to the sensibilities of our people there who felt that there should be respect for the principles of zoning in the state. If that is correct, that is definitely a time bomb. So, I think we have a lot of work to do. We should not just assume that all is well because this is the last election before the general election next year. We really need to go back to the drawing board. Nobody should assume that he can do it alone.
https://independent.ng/osun-election-has-taught-apc-big-lesson-idahosa/

Rauf Aregbesola is pure evil.

There are States in Nigeria that owe their workers salaries,but Rauf took his own to a new dimension. This man caused a lot of pain and suffering.

There are two things Osun State voters should make sure they do. One is to make sure the APC is never voted into Power again at the State level,and two, a Muslim who might have the crazy ideologies of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Don't mind oshiomhole, he always believe in vote buying, dirty political power play and mischief... He 'll never do things the right way...

Same thing they're doing in Lagos.

PDP can get osun if the people really want pdp.
But I must say that the satanic party must only use one term in osun then after it can go into extinction.

Sarkin:
PDP can get osun if the people really want pdp.
But I must say that the satanic party must only use one term in osun then after it can go into extinction.

u re Mad?

Sarkin:
PDP can get osun if the people really want pdp.
But I must say that the satanic party must only use one term in osun then after it can go into extinction.

Its not that they want PDP. Rather they are sick of aregbesola. He completely messed up

APC believes propaganda takes care of all

They forgot that power belong to the people our politician are not fast learners, they should learn frm gaddafi and mugabe, they should stop taking the masses for granted, cus when the people decide to deal with u even ur police, inec or army can not save u even ur money we be useless, hope its nt too late for bello to change

Arrogance of power was what resulted in the APC getting a bloody nose.

How could Rauf Aregbesola as a governor be receiving his full salary and all the allowances but, his people are receiving Hafusalary and he's not bothered?



Ogbeni Rauf is evil I swear

I heard the party elders are the ones begging Ambode now after seeing the result in Osun

[Qquote author=dukie25 post=71475694]Same thing they're doing in Lagos. [/quote]