How Oyetola sidelined Aregbesola’s associates as Osun governor — Najeem Salaam

A former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam, has accused former governor Gboyega Oyetola of sidelining political associates of his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during his time in office.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tribune, Salaam recounted the events that led to the breakdown of political ties between Oyetola and Aregbesola’s allies, stating that despite their contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, they were shut out of governance once Oyetola assumed power.

“It even got to a stage that anyone who had any attachment with Ogbeni Aregbesola then, he didn’t want to have anything to do with them. And I, for one, didn’t know why this was so. But that was the situation,” he said.

He noted that prior to Oyetola’s emergence as governor, there was an understanding that he, Salaam, would be appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as compensation for supporting his victory. However, he said that promise was never fulfilled.

“Yes, I was an aspirant but when it didn’t work out, I was promised to be given the position of Secretary to the State Government. But when Oyetola became the governor, he changed the story. He made things look as if I was begging him for favour. That was the beginning of my issue with him.”

Salaam, who served two terms as speaker, said the fallout intensified when those affiliated with Aregbesola were systematically excluded from the government and party affairs.

ALSO READ: Guber poll: Anambra Central endorses Soludo as consensus candidate

“Another sad side of the story was that we were completely sidelined and neglected in the political affairs and activities of Osun State. We had not been involved in any political activity, both concerning the governance and at the party level.”

He added that although they managed the situation for a while, the crisis within the party became irreparable by 2022. 

The former speaker also revealed that he and some others were eventually suspended from the party in 2023 without any formal explanation.

“We got to know about our suspension on the papers of newspapers and social media without a concrete allegation leveled against us till today,” he said.

Salaam expressed disappointment that efforts to reconcile the factions within the party, particularly through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, never materialised.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE