The Osun State Government has denied that there was a private meeting between Governor Ademola Adeleke and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde in Abuja.
It also added that the interactions between both men were in public and that insinuations of infighting among functionaries of both governments were the handiwork of those profiting from the lack of substantive leadership for the party in the zone.
The state government in a signed statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Monday revealed that at no point did Governor Adeleke have any private talk with his Oyo State counterpart.
According to the statement, “Governor Adeleke had visited the Oyo State Governor’s lodge to see the newly renovated Oyo State Government House, as Osun State government is embarking on a similar renovation of Osun Government House located within Asokoro.
“It was also an opportunity for both leaders to review the states’ relationship and chart a path to strengthen the Peoples Democratic Party within the South West zone including the issue of filling the vacancy existing within the party zonal leadership.
“The interactions were in the open and at no point did the question of begging and prostration arise as there was nothing to plead and beg about.
“The venue was in the living room with a photo opportunity. In the presence of everybody, the two leaders resolved to unite for the party in the zone, hence the need to call an emergency zonal meeting to hold later this week.
“All insinuations about infighting either among Osun Government functionaries or otherwise are the handiwork of those profiting from the lack of substantive leadership for the party in the zone.
“There is no infighting within Governor Adeleke’s cabinet over the planned meeting nor any disagreement as to when and how to hold the zonal meeting.
“The two Governors will surely feel embarrassed by the fake news as it was targeted at truncating genuine efforts to relaunch the party with new leadership after recent happenings.
“We, therefore urge members of the PDP across the South West to ignore the fake news and focus on making a success of the forthcoming zonal meeting in the best interest of the party.”