HighlightPoliticsTop Story

Full-blown crisis breaks out in Tinubu’s political family as estranged ally, Aregbesola, vows to sack his cousin, Osun Gov.  

526

 

 

 

Ahead of 2023, a political brouhaha of epic proportion has broken out in the political family of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader and presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu with one of his age-long trusted ally and protégés, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, drawing the battle line with him and his hirelings.

 

 

Although an indication of a major crack in the Tinubu political family emerged in 2021 but strong denials and rebuttals were put up to douse the tension.

 

 

The ditching of the then Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for Tinubu’s preferred candidate in the 2019 governorship signaled the imminent collapse of the political empire as Ambode, in spite of his stellar performance, was denied the second term party ticket and choked on his demand and right thus becoming the first governor of the state that did not get a second run.

 

 

 The outbursts of Aregbesola, a former governor of the state (2010 to 2018), in Osun on Monday against his estranged leader under whom he served as Commissioner for Works and Public Infrastructure for eight years are clear warning signals of an end to politics of godfatherism and enthronement by treacherous leaders who are, he said, are playing God.

 

For the 64-year-old Aregbesola, installing his choice candidate as governor in Osun to replace Tinubu’s cousin, incumbent Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, has put himself and Tinubu in political dire straits.

 

 

Aregbesola, who unveiled a former Secretary to Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti, as his preferred candidate for the seat, asked his supporters to accept and work for him.

 

To Tinubu he said the treatment meted out to Ambode in 2019 will be given to Oyetola in the governorship election coming up in a few months.

 

 

According to him, Tinubu had repaid his loyalty with betrayal, accusing Tinubu, APC interim chairman and ex-governor of Osun State, Pa Bisi Akande, of foisting Oyetola on the people, against popular will.

 

 

Aregbesola, who leads a faction of the party in the state, is engaged in a battle of succession, accusing Oyetola of failing to consolidate on his eight-year achievements as governor.

 

 

He was addressing a rally of party supporters in Ijebu-Jesa near his country home, Ilesa, ahead of Saturday’s governorship primary in the state. Persecondnews reports that a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yusuf Lasun is also contesting the primary on Saturday.

 

 

Aregbesola, an orator and former student union leader, told the rally: “Only God can terrify us, not man. Go and tell them wherever they are, we own this party. We own this Afenifere group. We own this people-loving group started by our patriarchs  — (Obafemi) Awolowo and Bola Ige. This is Elder Akande’s group before he temporarily left us. This is our party. Stop calling yourself a factional group; you are not a faction; you are the authentic APC.

 

 

“We came back home to reposition our party to where it was meant to be because we followed the leading of our leader that we thought was a noble and reliable fellow. We followed him (Tinubu) dutifully with all sense of loyalty.

 

 

“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 compares himself to God. God has no competitor; He is enough to be God.’’

 

 

Persecondnews reports that Aregbesola thereafter launched a political song to drive home his point, titled: “Bye-bye to jagba-jagba, rede rede’’ (good riddance to bad rubbish).

 

It will be recalled that Aregbesola, ex-Lagos Gov. Babatunde Fashola and Ambode did not visit Tinubu in London when he was hospitalized for over three months after a knee surgery.

 

Meanwhile, the party structure in Osun is firmly in control of Oyetola as the Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC National Caretaker Committee recently inaugurated Oyetola’s man, Gboyega Famoodun, as the party’s Chairman in Osun.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG terminates Julius Berger’s N740bln Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day termination notice to...

Just in: 63-year-old Ekiti Chief Judge, Adeyeye, dies

Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, has passed away....

Equatorial Guinea govt introduces CCTV in offices amid sextape scandal

Following sextape scandals, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teddy Nguema, has announced plans...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

$26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project Gains Momentum

The federal government, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African...

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

N1.3trn fraud: EFCC arrests, grills ex-Delta Gov. Okowa

A former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has been apprehended by the...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Polaris Bank wins “Best Mobile App” award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

For its commitment to digital innovation and excellence, Polaris Bank has again...

Updated: After six years of injustice, Nigeria’s ex-Chief Justice, Onnoghen, finally gets justice

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, overturned the conviction of...

Flood sacks 4 Anambra council areas as Soludo activates 27 IDP camps

By Emmanuel Ndukuba, Awka Floods have devastated four local government areas in...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

Four-month salary: NASU, SSANU secure irrevocable commitment from FG, suspend strike

After a six-day strike, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff...

Three radio stations in Abia destroyed by mysterious fire

A mysterious fire has hit three radio stations in Abia in Abia...

Seven new ministers for inauguration on Monday, Nov. 4

President Bola Tinubu will preside over the oath-taking of seven new ministers...

Youth shot dead for playing football near VIP’s house

A 70-year-old man, Mr. Stephen Irobunda, has escaped a mob action in...

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director Dimeji Ajibola is dead

Dimeji Ajibola, the acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker behind the popular series Shanty Town,...