The rosy relationship between Nigeria’s interior minister Rauf Aregbesola and former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu is fast becoming frosty over the second term bid of Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Tinubu and Aregbesola enjoyed the most cordial relationship. Aregbesola was one time considered one of the closest proteges of the former Lagos State governor.
Theirs was a formidable political force that is hard to crack; even when individual interests seem to be apart, they always reached a compromise.
Aregbesola once openly declared that Tinubu, whom he served under as commissioner for works in Lagos State from 1999 and 2006 was “our leader who we shall continue to follow.”
The pledge is, however, on the brink of failing after the disagreement between both leaders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been made obvious by the minister.
Aregbesola fires veiled shots at Tinubu
Speaking in Oriade LGA of Osun on Monday, Aregbesola declared his opposition for the reelection of Oyetola for a second term against Tinubu’s wish.
Oyetola served as chief of staff under Aregbesola as Osun State governor. Aregbesola said Oyetola’s performance has been unsatisfactory and subtly accused Tinubu of playing God over Osun people.
“We are ready to allow a free-flow of democratic process to interplay here. We are not those who play God,” Aregbesola said.
“We are resolute about reclaiming our party from those who think they can continue to abuse our legacies or even want us to be second fiddle in the party we worked and laboured for.”
Making reference to former Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode who lost the party ticket to contest a second term, Aregbesola said it was the same reason the decision was made that he and his supporters want Oyetola removed.
Tinubu had said Ambode drifted from the master plan for the development in Lagos State. Aregbesola insinuated the same for Oyetola.
“We followed him (Tinubu) dutifully with all sense of loyalty,” Aregbesola said. “Some people even thought that we were no longer Muslims because of how we cooperated with him. We dealt with him without treachery but we never knew he planned evil for us.
“We exalted him beyond his status and he turned himself to a god over us and we had sworn to ridicule anyone who compared himself to God.”
Aregbesola said “when he (Tinubu) handed over the present governor to me around July of 2018, he (Tinubu) declared that he (Oyetola) will succeed me and continue my good works.
“That was what he told me. He knows he has not done so if he is listening now and he has failed to call my successor to order.
“That was how it was in Lagos at a time; a governor derailed and the party members unseated him using the ballot boxes. As it was in Lagos yesterday, so shall it be in Osun today.”
Aregbesola declared his support for former Secretary to the Osun State Government Moshood Adeoti to win the APC primary is scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2022.
Source: Guardian.ng