Aregbesola returns to Osun, begs for forgiveness

BLESSING AKOROWOSI, Osogbo

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, has returned to Osun State, saying he has come back to restructure the All Progressives Congress, APC, and to beg for forgiveness from all those he offended.

Specifically, Aregbesola, who was Osun Governor between 2010 and 2018, on Wednesday, at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park via Old Garage, Osogbo, while addressing residents of the state, thanked President Bola Tinubu, saying he is the “architect of my success.”

Aregbesola added that it was with the help of God and “the support of Asiwaju, I was able to excel as a governor for eight years even though it was not easy.”

SaharaReporters had in February 2022 reported that in the heat of the rundown to the Osun State Governorship election where Gboyega Oyetola then was seeking reelection and backed by Tinubu, Aregbesola had mocked the duo at a programme in the Oriade Local Government Area.

Aregbesola while castigating Tinubu had said, “Won tin to ara” which is translated in English “they’re already urinating on themselves.”
The comment came days after Tinubu was seen in a viral video with suspected pee stains on his cloth during a visit to a monarch in Ogun State, the Awujale of Ijebuland.

Tinubu, who was seated on a black leather couch alongside some other party stalwarts had risen to give a speech but his attire had soaked from behind, particularly at the butt area.
The politician’s security aide was seen constantly holding his nose while looking at the wet area as another woman immediately wore her face mask as the Asiwaju rose up to speak.
The APC in Osun had had two factions: one was loyal to Aregbesola while the other was to Oyetola who eventually lost the reelection bid.

But speaking on Wednesday, Aregbesola had some nice words for President Tinubu in a desperate bid to seek forgiveness.
He said: “I have not returned to Osun for animosity or acrimony but reconciliation of our party. I have come here today to beg for forgiveness from anybody who is offended towards me.
“The reason why people are applauding me over my successes in Osun today was because of the great work I did when I was in government and those who turned themselves into enemies today, we worked together in government.“I thank God who showcased me from Lagos through the help of President Bola Tinubu. He is the architect of my success. I spent 8 years as commissioner in Lagos.
“In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party. President Tinubu and other Yoruba elders directed me to come and take over Osun State from the opposition.
“With the help of God and the support of Asiwaju, I was able to excel as a governor for 8 years even though it was not easy with the help of those that turned to my enemy for four years.
“In 2019, after the Supreme Court judgment, I came to this venue with the person I handed over power to. I counseled that I have played my own part and handed over to the person I loved.
“But I said, the person must do it right by ensuring unity within the party. If that is done, I will now be the godfather. But unfortunately, Satan took over them in interpreting what I said. I never begged for anything from them when he was in power.
“I am saying it today and I am begging for forgiveness. After this, we are not going to beg anybody again. We didn’t offend anyone and we don’t believe anyone offended us but it’s possible that they believe we offended them, that’s why we are apologising to them,” Aregbesola said.
Meanwhile, the people-centred participatory model of the former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has been recommended for sustainable development in the country.Political analysts stressed the need for the nation’s political leadership to toe the path of an ideological framework that will make humanism the forefront of governance.

The opinion leaders, including Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Comrades Femi Aborisade, Owei Lakemfa, Segun Mayegun, among others spoke at the 66th birthday colloquium in honour of Aregbesola in Osogbo, on Thursday. The analysts described the former governor of Osun as an enigma and apostle of governance that works for the people, humanistic, driven by an unrelenting commitment to make their lives better.

Arogundade described the celebrant as a vibrant and dogged leader, whose leadership skills and attributes maintain his cult-like followership, even after holding a public office.
He said: “Comrade Rauf Aregbesola whether you disagree with him or not, is a very accommodating person. “Aregbesola is a political combatant who is able to speak on issues with a very deep background and knowledge of how the government is supposed to work for the people.

“There are things you can not take away from Comrade Rauf. One of it is his avowed commitment to the ideals of people centred and welfarist programmes. That is why the people are with him.
“Being energetic, a workaholic, a good dancer, a courageous man, a fast thinker, grassroots mobiliser, he is proud of his culture and an unrepentant socialist stands him out and makes him worthy of studying and following his political sagacity”.

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, eulogised the celebrator for his passion for the growth of humanity.”You have a name that transcends the Federal Republic of Nigeria because of your passion, commitment, and resilience towards the growth of humanity.
“We are always proud of you. You are a man with a good heart,” he said.
In his response, Aregbesola noted that good governance is all about bringing all facets of society together for peace, progress, and development.
He stated that the secret to the success of his administration in Osun and political leadership is the aggregation of all interests of the society, stressing that people will always identify with those who are keenly passionate about them.
“Governance is not rocket science. It is all about putting the interests of the people at heart. We included every strata of the society in our government. This is why the people trooped out to receive us after 54 months of completing our tenure,” he said.
He thanked his supporters, friends, associates, and the people of Osun at large for believing in his political ideology, assuring that he will forever remain committed to them.