Aregbesola’s Aide Claims His Boss Made Tinubu, Oyetola’s Aide Disagree

By Ayodele Oni

Aides to former Minister of Interior and that of immediate past Governor of Osun State are trading words over the rise to political stardom of Rauf Aregbesola and President Bola Tinubu.

Media aide to Rauf Aregbesola, Sola Fasure, claimed that it was the pivotal role Aregbesola played that made Tinubu the Governor of Lagos State in 1999.

However, former Special Adviser to ex-Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Jamiu Olawumi, dismissed Fasure’s claims as false.

“Aregbesola was nothing when he met Tinubu. Tinubu contested for the Senate and won, but Aregbesola contested for the House of Representatives and lost.”

Fasure stated that Aregbesola’s influence helped straighten Tinubu’s political journey, first securing him a Senate seat for Lagos West, and later ensuring his victory as Governor.

Speaking on a current affairs programme “Frank Talk” on Rave FM, Osogbo, Fasure asserted that Tinubu’ s political rise would not have been possible without Aregbesola’s strategic support.

“The relationship between Tinubu and Aregbesola is mutually beneficial. Aregbesola was the one who made Asiwaju Tinubu a Senator in 1991.

“When Tinubu retired from Mobil Oil and joined politics, it was Aregbesola he ran to. At that time, Aregbesola was already an established politician in Lagos, and he helped Tinubu secure the SDP ticket for Lagos West Senate.”

Fasure further claimed that when Tinubu sought to become governor, Aregbesola was instrumental in securing the Alliance for Democracy (AD) ticket for him, despite opposition from Afenifere leaders who preferred Funso Williams.

“It was Aregbesola who overturned that decision and helped Tinubu win the election.”

Speaking further, the Special adviser to the Governor alleged that Aregbesola later turned against Tinubu and the APC, shifting his allegiance to the PDP and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“The exit of Aregbesola and his cohort is goodbye to bad rubbish. We are not going to miss them,” Olawumi declared.