As preparations for August 15 gubernatorial poll in Osun gather momentum, the former deputy governor in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on Tuesday dismissed rumour of planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC), just as he reaffirmed his loyalty to the party.

 

Describing the rumour as a hoax, Omisore who is also the immediate past national secretary of the APC assured of his commitment to ensure the electoral victory for the party during the forthcoming governorship election.

 

It is recalled that some of his keys loyalists, including Yemi Lawal, who was his running mate during 2014 gubernatorial poll in Osun, former Commissioner of Education, Folorunsho Bamisayemi and host of others had recently dumped the APC for the Accord Party.

 

However, Omisore, who dispelled his defection rumour after attending monthly meeting of the APC elders caucus “Igbimo-Agba Osun” , held at Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government area of the state, described the development as ridiculous and unfounded.

 

Speaking through the Director-General of his Campaign Group, Honourable Israel Famurewa, the ex-deputy governor insisted that he remained a member of APC and would continue to work for the overall interest of the party.

 

“I think seeing is believing. Senator Omisore is here in the meeting and that is enough to debunk the rumour that he has left the party. We all know him, if he actually wants to leave the party he will address the formal press conference so what is flying all over the social media is just a rumour…

 

“Nobody can say this is where Senator Iyiola sit-down with him and told him that he has left the party it’s just an insinuation that people are just carrying around. You can see him here today and we are planning together about how to win the next election. So, as far as I’m concerned Iyiola Omisore is a bonafide member of APC and member of Igbimo-Agba, Osun.

 

Commenting on whether he was instrumental to the deflection of some of his supporters to the Accord Party, he contended their decision was personal not borne out of instruction to any member of his group.

 

In his remark, the chairman of APC Igbimo-Agba, Engr. Sola Akinkunmi explained that the meeting was their statutory meeting convened to strategize on the coming August 15 gubernatorial election.

 

While expressing optimism that the party’s standard bearer, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji will emerge victorious, Akinwumi appealed to residents of the state to come out en masses and cast their votes for APC.