Rauf Aregbesola, the minister of interior and former governor of Osun, did not vote in Saturday’s governorship election.
Residents in Ifofin, Ilesha, where Aregbesola was expected to vote, said that it is “unlike the minister,” who always arrives in his hometown on the eve of an election.
“By now, everywhere will be bubbling with activities because Aregbe would have entered since Friday,” a resident said.
“He is so loved here and he has tried his best for his people. I don’t know why he’s not around this time like he’s always done.”
Voting has now concluded at the minister’s polling unit in Isare ward 8, Ilesha east, with the APC receiving 164 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) receiving 134.
Meanwhile, the minister has visited Germany, according to Premium Times.
Aregbesola has been at odds with Gboyega Oyetola, the governor of Osun who is running for re-election on the All Progressives Congress platform (APC).
Moshood Adeoti, a former secretary to the state government (SSG), was backed by the minister for the APC governorship ticket, but Oyetola won the APC primary.
After his preferred candidate lost to Oyetola in the primary, Aregbesola called the election a “sham.”
The APC currently has two factions in Osun, one loyal to Aregbesola and the other to Oyetola.
The minister was also absent from the APC mega rally in Osun on Tuesday, which was attended by the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as well as governors and other stakeholders.
