There are fantasies and conjectures that are currently going on regarding the video of Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun State Governor and the current Federal Minister of Internal Affairs where he was shown cursing and denigrating Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his former Master now foe.
I wish I share these fantasies. I seek to make a balance attempt in diagnosis of the ongoing imbroglio.
The fact is that Aregbe was a pauper when he joined Asiwaju’s government in 1999. I dare anyone who disagree with this assertion to point at what he achieved for himself before he was handpicked by Tinubu.
Aregbe was seconded to Osun. If you disagree I urge you to go and read Baba Akande’s autobiography “My Participation”. He was not known in Osun until Asiwaju game book turned open Osun chapter. Asiwaju supported him with everything he got. Money, intellect, contacts and strategy.
Considering the amount of money and energy spent on Osun election 2007 pre, during and post 2007 election, I expect Aregbe to be eternally grateful to Asiwaju. Recently, a video bearing testimony of how Asiwaju sent Prof. Osinbajo, the current Vice President to UK Police to hire tens of fingerprint experts so as to build a very good case against PDP has emerged. Millions of US Dollar were spent to send Prince Oyinlola (the then declared winner of the election) out of Abere, the Seat of Osun Power for Aregbe.
Aregbe is currently a senior Minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. I doubt if PMB would have given him such appointment if he had remained Generator repairer as he was then in Alimosho before Asiwaju handpicked him and made him Commissioner of Works in his government. By any definition Asiwaju is Aregbe’s destiny helper!
Let assume for the sake of this discussion that Asiwaju actually forced Gboyega Oyetola, the current Osun State Governor, on him as his successor and Jagaban also sided with Oyetola against Aregbe in their quarrels. Is that enough for Aregbe to do what he is currently doing?
Asiwaju had kneel operation in the UK. He was admitted in a UK hospital. Friends and foes went there to show sympathy, to show love and care, Aregbe refused to go. Asiwaju returned to Nigeria, yet, Aregbe didn’t go. This violates what Islam teaches us. Aregbe as a Muslim is expected to act according to the Quran and the Hadith.
Yoruba adage says “Nitori Ojo iponju lamafisore” (Favour counts in trouble times). The only thing that made Aregbe to do all he has done, and what he is doing, is simply because he got too close to Asiwaju. He has seen him very closely and has felt there is nothing extraordinary about the so called Asiwaju. Too much familiarity has bred contempt.
Aregbe overpriced himself and he has become too arrogant except he traces his steps, his fall is near and will witness disgrace and embarrassment.
Ore pe asiere gbagbe (Idiots often forget long time favour). It is more worrisome to learn that Aregbe is even campaigning against the Presidential aspiration of Asiwaju. Haba!
All my friends and contacts within Nigeria political space will bear witness that I was Aregbesola fan. But it is over. He is an arrogant ingrate.
I am Moshood Wasiu Abiola
[email protected]