By Akinwale Kasali
A South West Group under the aegis of League of South West Civil Society and Community Based Organizations have condemned the attacks on the person of Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by perceived enemies of the region.
Aregbesola has come under strong criticism from different quarters and from supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader and 2023 Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent comments, labeling Tinubu as ‘playing god, promoting godfatherism and imposing Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun on his re-election bid on the people of the State.
At the end of the APC Governorship Primaries in Osun State few weeks back which Oyetola won, defeating Aregbesola’s Candidate, a mock coffin with Aregbesola’s name written on it was carried round Alimosho area of Lagos State, the strong base of Aregbesola by Tinubu’s supporters, saying that Aregbesola is dead politically for attacking is presumed benefactor.
Following the rift that has ensued between Aregbesola and Tinubu, the Group said that those fanning the ember of hatred among the Two strong South West politicians are enemies of the region.
The Group in a Statement signed by Taiwo Adeleke, the Convener of the Group alongside other Coalitions said that it is conscious of the history of politics of South West for time immemorial, stressing that this is gradually becoming a repeat of the crisis between Late Premier of the Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo and his then deputy, Ladoke Akintola that snowballed into a major conflict within the Action Group, AG, leading to the emergence of a faction of Akintola presented as an alternative political front which clashed with the established dominion of the Action Group.
It added that another example is the 1983 political differences with the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, that led to a split with a reactionary faction pitching tent with the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, leading to the crisis between Adekunle Ajasin and Akin Omoboriowo, resulting to arson and riots in Ondo State.
For the crisis between Tinubu and Aregbesola not to escalate, the Group said there was urgent need for dialogue with both parties ending their rift as there are some vested interests that want the two main actors to drown politically, while some are benefiting financially and would wish that there isn’t an end to the imbroglio between the duo.
“Aregbesola made his name from the progressive forces in the South West, as his honesty, transparency, reputation and attempt character has never been in doubt. Those claiming that Tinubu made Aregbesola are speaking out of historical context. We must admit that Aregbesola and Tinubu made their names and were major actors on the field of the June 12 campaigns.
“Aregbesola’s fighting spirit, galvanizing the masses in the fierce anti military campaign at the risk of his life when he had option to go into exile but bared his chest at the home front to confront evil at the risk of his life. It was this quality Tinubu saw in him when he returned back to the country in 1998 which made him seek an alliance with him during the 1998/1999 gubernatorial election, not forgetting that they had both met when Aregbesola sought a ticket to go to the House of Representatives from Alimosho, while Tinubu equally sought to contest for the Senate in the days of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
“At the time Tinubu provided the funds, Aregbesola provided the intellectual power, the revolutionary flavour and the rare blood alliance with the Lagos masses that worked out by him which culminated in Tinubu’s victory in 1999, a feat repeated in 2003, making Lagos State the only one retained in the South West. It should be known that Aregbesola was actually in charge of the campaign in Lagos in 1999”.
The Group said Aregbesola has been loyal to Tinubu and the former Lagos State Governor has commended him as an honest, upright, dutiful and diligent fighter, stressing that there is no dispute that cannot be resolved, urging those fanning the ember of discord to stop the unnecessary attacks on Aregbesola and realize that there is need for reconciliation between the key actors because continued face offs is not in the interest of either of the two.
It added that both parties should close ranks in the interest of all, that the crisis has continued to blossom which is a weakness on the part of the two and a show of lack of capacity to manage dispute .
