Osogbo — Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his predecessor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, have been summoned to appear before the state Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to look into the series of cases of human right abuses, violations and public discontents from 2007 till date in the state.

Separate letters dated May 13 2011, signed by the secretary to the commission, Nurudeen Ogbara, were dispatched to the two.

While Oyinlola was invited to appear before the commission on Tuesday, May 24 2011, Aregbesola is expected to appear the following day when the commission intends to wind up its public sitting.

The commission, headed by Justice Samson Uwaifo, was inaugurated on Thursday, February 17 2011. It commenced public sitting on Tuesday March 22 2011 and will round off its public sitting on Wednesday May 25 2011.

In the letter sent to Oyinlola, the commission noted that a number of petitions involving him as the Governor were forwarded to the commission to which he (Oyinlola) was officially represented by a team of counsel.

The commission added that the cases were yet to determined because "the TRC believes that given your Excellency's leadership position as the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of Osun State in the period under consideration, it is only fair and pertinent, to invite your Excellency to assist the commission in achieving its mandate as articulated in the terms of reference".

In another letter of invitation sent to Aregbesola, the commission said it was inviting him (Aregbesola) to its final public sitting given the historical importance and political significance of the commission coupled with his (Aregbesola) leadership position as the Governor of Osun State now and the critical and central role he played in the period under review.

The commission stated that Aregbesola's appearance would go a long way in assisting the commission to achieve its mandate.

Other members of the commission are Yunus Ustaz-Usman Professor (Mrs.) Ayo Atsenuwa, Mrs. Funmi Falana, Hakeem Yusuff, Bamidele Aturu, Rufus Oyatoro, while Nurudeen Ogbara serves as Secretary to the commission.