By Ben Agande
President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has charged the governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, to stop behaving like an Area Boy and provide purposeful leadership for his people.
Reacting to allegations credited to the governor who alleged that some eminent Nigerians, including the President of the Senate, were raising funds to destabilise the state, Senator Mark urged the state governor to imbibe the culture of respect for elders and decorum, adding that he should also control his tongue.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate, Mr. Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark emphasised that the governor should tender ‘unreserved apology’ to the Senate President or ‘we would be left with no option than to seek legal redress’.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has been drawn to spurious allegation by the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, alleging plot by some eminent Nigerians to raise fund to destabilise his state.
“We ordinarily should not elevate such idle talk with a response but for the unabating enquiries from friends, associates and the general public on the allegation.
“Aregbesola was widely reported in the media that prominent Nigerians, including Vice President Namadi Sambo and President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, were involved in the plot to raise N1billion to destabilise his administration.
“We frown on this falsehood and unwarranted attack on the person and office of the President of the Senate. We demand unreserved apology from Aregbesola or we would be left with no option than to seek legal redress.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Senate is a statesman who believes in the rule of law and commitment to development that will improve the lives of Nigerians.
“It is, therefore, unthinkable and an affront for Aregbesola to link the President of the Senate to issues that do not engender progress or development.
“The President of the Senate is a builder, a lawmaker and an adherent to democratic ideals. He believes in the right of every one to express his or her views but in doing so, it should not impugn or insult the sensibilities of others.”
“We do not want to be dragged into the politics of Osun state. We can only advise Aregbesola that what the people of Osun state desires is purposeful leadership, development that affects them positively and make the society a better place and not mudslinging.
“The Osun State governor should also be reminded that resort to abuse or disparaging leaders in the name of politics would not earn him laurels.
“Aregbesola must imbibe the culture of respect for elders, decorum and learn to control his tongue. He should behave like a state governor and not as an Area boy.”