Former governor of the State of Osun and immediate past minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged the opposing camps in the state All Progressives Congress to eschew rancour and embrace reconciliation.
Ogbeni Aregbesola who made the appeal at Osogbo blamed the devil for the misunderstanding between him and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, during the latter’s reign as governor.
Speaking in Yoruba language at a welcome rally organised by his loyalists to welcome him back to the state at Freedom Park, Osogbo, he said that the devil successfully allowed animosity to thrive between them after the Supreme Court victory party in July 2019.
The former minister at the occasion attributted his political successes to President Bola Tinubu, who he claimed identified and supported his political aspirations since 1999 from his days in Lagos State where he was a two-term commissioner.
Ogbeni Aregbesola was Lagos State Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure during the administration of Asiwaju Tinubu as governor.
“Politics in this part of the world is about acrimony, but today, I am not here for that. We are here to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. My successes as governor were a collective achievement, including those who turned themselves into our enemies today.
“In July 2019 after the Supreme Court victory, we were together in this venue where we called on ourselves to be united. I said on that day that I’d concluded my tenure and handed over to the person I preferred, but warned that it was left for my successor to be a good person and that I will be the godfather”, he said.
Ogbeni Aregbesola, however, noted that his statement was misconstrued and the devil took over which led to the rift that lasted four years.
“I did not request anything from my successor, talkless of being denied such a thing, but some people just felt envious of our presence.
Despite all of these, I seek forgiveness from those who felt offended by some of our actions”, he added.
“After this, I will not 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 seeking forgiveness”, the former governor concluded.
