Omisore challenges Aregbesola to debate

[Punch]

A Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Osun State, Chief Iyiola Omisore, has challenged Governor Rauf Aregbesola to a debate ahead of next year's poll  in the state.

Speaking with journalists in Ile-Ife, on Sunday, Omisore, who is the immediate past Chairman, Senate Appropriation Committee, said the Aregbesola administration used  propaganda as a tool to deceive the people.

He said, "Political debate is a standard practice in any democracy. I challenge Aregbesola to a debate anytime. I have a PhD in Engineering. The people of Osun want a man they could relate to, a man who is one of them and not a stranger."

Faulting the urban beautification exercise being carried out by the Aregbesola  government, Omisore said the exercise had caused Osun indigenes more pain than gain.

The former deputy governor of  the state said, "Urban renewal must come with a human face. You don't inflict pain on the people in the name of planting flowers. The dual carriageway  which has led to the  demolition  of structures  in Osogbo has four lanes already."

He said some of the roads being constructed by the state government are   roads which had been paid for by the Federal Government.

Omisore, who called on Aregbesola to embark on construction and rehabilitation of state roads, stressed that the  state government  found it easy to embark on federal road construction because of the huge money the Federal Government would pay back.

He added, "Osun will be reimbursed for all the federal roads he (Aregbesola) is constructing. Osun has been reimbursed on some of the roads. He should embark on construction of state roads. What are they using Osun money for?"

However, the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, debunked Omisore's allegation  and challenged him to produce evidence of payment on any of the roads by the Federal Government.

The Punch

[Folami David]

They are all just eyeing different posts in that state that is why they are always love to proof themeselves in so many ways.

[Shola Sholaz]

It's good though...It's always a good thing for challenges to pop up for once in a while with leaders in Nigeria. Let's see how they'll handle it.