Tinubu won’t oppose reconciling with Aregbesola, says aide

Tunde Rahman, media aide of Bola Tinubu, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the former Lagos governor will not oppose reconciling with Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior.

On Tuesday, TheCable reported that Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, met with Aregbesola in Oyo state.

TheCable learnt that the meeting was organised to reconcile Aregbesola and Tinubu amid the ongoing rift between the duo.

When TheCable reached out to Rahman for comments on Wednesday, the media aide said Tinubu was not invited to the meeting, adding that he believes that the monarchs will reach out to the former Lagos governor later.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was not invited to the meeting. I can tell you that clearly. I believe the two traditional rulers intend to reach out to him later,” Rahman said.

“But let me say this clearly: Asiwaju Tinubu has tremendous respect for the traditional institution and particularly for the two eminent royal fathers.

“You would recall that only recently during his consultations and engagements with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Oyo and Osun states on his presidential aspiration, he visited and interfaced with HRM Iku Baba Yeye Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and HRM Onirisa, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in their respective domains.

“If you ask me what Asiwaju’s attitude would be to the reconciliation move, of course he would welcome and support it.

“Don’t forget that Asiwaju and the Hon. minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, are from the same political family. Asíwájú appointed him commissioner for works for eight years during his time as Lagos governor.

“He also later drafted him into the Osun governorship race and supported him to be governor in Osun for eight years.

“I think Asiwaju would factor all of that and where both of them are coming from into the reconciliation efforts. He would not oppose the idea.”

TheCable had reported that plans were underway to facilitate Tinubu and Aregbesola’s reconciliation.

In June 2020, TheCable reported that the relationship between the duo had turned sour — but they both denied the report.

The rift began in May 2020, when Aregbesola arbitrarily revamped the Mandate Group — a core of Tinubu’s loyalists — and usurped the closely-knitted caucus for individuals he could trust.