By Joseph Akanbi
Barring any last-minute change, Alhaji Fatai Diekola, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) will today join the Peoples Democratic Party. He is expected to be officially received by the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, during the South West Zonal Rally of the party holding in Osogbo on May 5.
Diekola, who has been having a running battle with the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, as a member of the Governing Board of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The crisis became evident on Monday, 26th of September, 2016, when Governor Rauf Aregbesola, boycotted the birthday celebration of his party man, Fatai Diekola, who used to be his right hand.
The event, which was held at the Atlantis Civic Centre in Osogbo, witnessed the absence of Aregbesola and all APC Federal lawmakers, who were said to have also boycotted on the directive given by Ogbeni.
The Osogbo-born politician who played a pivotal role in the previous governorship elections of 2003, 2007, 2014, has always been on the winning side. He left an appointment with the Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led regime to team up with the struggle of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in 2006, he later played a major role in Ogbeni’s election and eventual victory, as well as the re-run of Governor Aregbesola in 2014.
Political watchers will say Diekola and Aregbesola parted ways during the Ondo State Governorship election, where Diekola supported the eventual winner, Governor Akeredolu and Aregbesola allegedly rooted for Olusola Oke (SAN) of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
However, insider sources revealed that the inability of the Governor to fulfill his promise to compensate Diekola for ceding the House of Representatives ticket of Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency to the current Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yussuff, as well as the ability of Alhaji Diekola to challenge the Governor on party issues and state policies, are the rudiment of their crisis. The source revealed that Diekola had at a forum publicly rebuked the Governor as to the plight of party members most of whom are hungry, this action left the Governor embarrased and perplexed.
The crisis between Diekola and the Governor was full blown during the Osun West By-Election where Diekola openly supported the candidacy of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party. Governor Aregbesola who was supporting Senator Mudashir Hussain, campaigned vehemently for him, touring all the nooks and crannies of the West Senatorial District but eventually and woefully lost to the coalition and concerted efforts of the PDP leaders.
Many believe that as a fall-out from the by-election, Alhaji Diekola was picked up on flimsy and trump-up charges by the Osun State Police Command, he was later remanded in prison where he spent about a week before being released on bail.
Recall that during his stay in prison, Dr. Deji Adeleke, the elder brother to the then Senator-elect, Ademola Adeleke, paid him a visit in the company of Hon. Adejare Bello, where he donated matresses and pillows to the Ilesha Prison authorities. He also cleared the bill of many who are languishing in prison for bailable offences.
There was later a confusing show of affection by Ogbeni Aregbesola during the burial ceremony of his mother, Iya Olobi, the Governor at the reception sat on the same table with Alhaji Diekola, who had attended to commiserate with the Governor on the demise of his mother. Many had thought their differences will be managed and reconciled but the war of words between Diekola and the Famodun-led APC leadership, the omission of Diekola’s name on the list the party sent to the Federal Government for board appointment, the eventual appointment of Diekola and other members of the ‘Abuja APC’, further drove a wedge between the duo.
Diekola who has never taken a back seat in a Governorship election in Osun State, is believed to be joining the Peoples Democratic Party to boost the ambition of Senator Ademola Adeleke. The ace politician who had profited and gained recognition during the crisis between President Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Bola Tinubu, may eventually lose out as the President and Asiwaju Tinubu have eventually closed ranks ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Lastly, in a conversation with the State Publicity Secretary of the APC in the State, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, on the subject matter, he posited that the party can only react to his eventual decampment when it happens not a rumored one, he concluded by saying Alhaji Fatai Diekola is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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