Politics
Why Top Men Are Unsure Of Tinubu’s Plan For Aregbesola
former number two-man
Inside sources insist President Bola Tinubu’s plan for former number two-man, Rauf Aregbesola, is not known.
“The President has kept sealed lips over it and refuses to discuss the falling out with Aregbe (Aregbesola),” insiders say.
After years of trying to manage their fractured rapport, President Tinubu and Aregbesola’s relationship completely broke down ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Aregbesola sensationally went personal against his political leader in what is now famously labeled in political circles as the “Ijebu-Ijesha outburst.”
Aregbesola, a former two-term governor of Osun State, fueled rumors about Tinubu with his vituperations, which went viral during a political gathering in February 2022.
The development was the offshoot of an intense supremacy tussle between Aregbesola and his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, which shredded the remaining ties between the former governor and President Tinubu.
Although the fight resulted in a re-election loss for Oyetola, he took over control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State from Aregbesola.
Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election also emboldened his other loyalists to massively diminish Aregbesola’s influence in Lagos State politics.
However, the out-of-favour political leader has returned to relevance in Osun State with a new political group named Omoluabi Progressives.
The group has become the talk of the town, with many touting it as a major factor in the upcoming Osun State gubernatorial election.
The APC is trying to regain control of the state government from the People’s Democratic Party in the 2026 election, while Tinubu is said to be eyeing re-election in 2027 amid growing disgruntlement within his support base, particularly in the north.
“While some believe mending fences with Aregbesola would be of political value in both instances, and others are strenuously kicking against it, the President has kept sealed lips, leaving everyone guessing what he plans to do with his estranged ally,” sources say.
Insiders insist that the actions taken against Aregbesola so far are those of supporters acting on behalf of the President, based on their own volition.
