Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that his decision to take a respite after many years of political activism made him decide not to go to the Senate after leaving office as governor.
The outgoing governor made this known Friday night during the monthly interactive governance with the people of the state, Ogbeni Till Day Break.
The programme is the last in office.
“The reason why I didn’t pick up the senatorial ticket is very simple. I have been active politically since my secondary school days. I simply want to rest,” he said.
Aregbesola also spoke about his style of administration saying that he had no regrets over his style of governance.
He said given another chance, he would adopt the same style as he did.
His words: “I have no regrets in governance. Given another chance to govern, I would continue along this same path. To the glory of God, we have just won an election. There is no better way to demonstrate our political sagacity than that.
“However, my party is different from me and if there are areas the party feels I could have done better, they are free to advise the incoming governor to make such amends.
“It is extremely difficult to maintain our level of popularity over an eight-year period. We got into power at the eleventh hour but that of the incoming governor has been one of ease. It’s a sign of things to come.”
Aregbesola who said he never received salary throughout his tenure as governor explained that he felt it was not necessary.
According to him, with the state feeding him, fuelling his car and covering other expenses, he felt it was not necessary for him to receive salary.
“I have no bank account anywhere in the world. I have not earned a dime in salary since I became governor and I do not intend to so do,” he said.
He added that his greatest achievement in office was the social programme of his government which he described as lives saving.
“Our school feeding programme which we revived and expanded is live changing. We put together a youth empowerment programme that is acclaimed worldwide,” he boasted.
