APC scribe, Osun SSG in war of words over Osun  crisis

The national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ajibola Basiru, and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Osun state, Teslim Igbalaye, have traded words over the violence in the state.

Basiru on a television interview condemned the role of Igbalaye who he accused of directing thugs to attack the APC chairmen in a widely circulated video.

Quoting an account, Basiru said Igbalaye was allegedly in company of Hon. Adewale Adebayo Gangaria, Prof. Ademola Adeleke and Muniru Raji with some violently looking individuals.

“We were already at the secretariat when, all of a sudden, SSG Teslim Igbalaye, arrived in a convoy of cars. He was in company of Hon Adewale Adebayo Gangaria, Prof Ademola Adeleke and Muniru Raji with some violently looking individuals.

“In fact, Tesi was the one dishing out instructions to thugs to attack APC members. We had no option but to run for dear lives. The thugs inflicted machete cuts on some of us,” he quoted the source as saying.

In his reaction, Tuesday, the media aide to the SSG, Kehinde Adeoye, denied the allegation that Igbalaye fomented trouble, describing the allegation as defamatory and attempted character assassination.

“I played leadership and mediatory roles Monday to ensure that the confrontation between the two parties did not snowball into bloodshed.

“When the confrontation reached a boiling point, I was invited to intervene. I took the APC chairmanship candidate, Saheed Onibonokuta, to the two Divisional Police Officers and I urge both sides not to attempt to enter the secretariat,” Igbalaye said.