By Gbenga Olarinoye
The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, governorship candidate in Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola has assured the people of the state that he would soon become the governor of the state.

The ACN candidate whose appeal against the ruling of the Elections Petition Tribunal which upheld the April 14 2007 election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is still pending in the Court of Appeal, Ibadan was on a condolence visit to Osogbo over the death of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi who died last Wednesday.

Aregbesola whose presence at the palace of the Ataoja caused stir as party faithful and market women hurriedly closed their shops to catch a glimpse of him and turned the place into a campaign ground as the shout of the party slogan rented the air.

He told newsmen who accosted him at the palace that the way forward in the state politically would be when he became the governor.

His words: “The way forward politically is that I will become the Governor of the state very soon.”

Aregbesola, accompanied by his running mate, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori and other chieftains of the party spoke glowingly about the late traditional ruler whom he described as a cultural icon.

Responding on behalf of other traditional chiefs of Osogbo, Ajagunna of Osogboland who is also Chief Gabriel Oparanti expressed gratitude to Aregbesola for considering it necessary to pay condolence visit to the palace, adding that arrangements are underway for the selection of new Ataoja of Osogbo.

Meanwhile the 8th Day Fidau Prayer for the late Ataoja, Oba Oyewale Matanmi holds today (Friday) at the palace of Ataoja.

According to the Fidau programme released by the chairman of Osogbo Elders’ Council, Alhaji Ahmed Omidiran, the Fidau prayer will hold in the morning.