#OsunDecides: Tinubu reacts to Osogbo protest over ‘I’m richer than Osun’ comment

Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has reacted to the protest by aggrieved Osun State residents after he remarked he was richer than the state.

Mr Tinubu had made the remark on Friday during a visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo’s Palace in a leg of effort to help the All Progressives Congress’ candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Gboyega Oyetola, to power.

in trying to debunk allegations he is targeting the Osun wealth through his Mr Oyetola, he said neither him nor the candidate was interested in the state’s money as the state is not financially buoyant enough.

He said: “Kabiyesi, you (Osun) don’t have my money. In fact, Osun does not have Oyetola’s money. What is in Osun for me to be an Ajele over?

“We are only here to help you, to give opportunities to your children. What is here to be an Ajele over?”

In reaction, on Monday, residents staged a protest singing anti-Tinubu songs.

However, in a press release signed by the media adviser to Mr Tinubu, Tunde Rahman, on Tuesday, he alleged that the opposition parties had gone to town to ‘twist’ the APC leader’s remarks on that occasion.

“This was intended to create bad blood among Asiwaju Tinubu, the highly respected Ataoja and the good people of Osogbo whom the APC leader holds in very high esteem,” said Mr Rahman. “For the avoidance of doubts, however, Asiwaju Tinubu did not disparage the people Osogbo in his remarks at the palace.”

While making clarifications on Mr Tinubu remarks, he noted that: “What the APC leader said is that in vying for Osun governorship, the party’s candidate, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, is motivated by service and not by any selfish consideration.

“He said for Alhaji Oyetola, using the governorship, if elected, as an avenue for primitive wealth accumulation is the least of his considerations for the office. He recalls that Alhaji Oyetola is an insurance guru who has been in the corporate world for over 30 years now. He founded and raised his company to the enviable level that it is today.”