Former Governor of Osun State and immediate past Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola is asking the people of the state he governed for eight years for whatever sins he has committed against them.
Aregbesola is believed to have been one of the Achilles heels of his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who lost re-election to the exalted seat he occupied for four years. Both men had been at daggers-drawn paving the way for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in last year’s election.
Aregbesola, visited the palaces of Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun before addressing his supporters at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park via Old Garage, Osogbo capital of Osun State.
At the park, he applauded Buhari for the opportunity to serve.
Speaking in Yoruba, he said: “I have not returned to Osun for animosity or acrimony but reconciliation of our party, I have come here today to beg for forgiveness from anybody who is offended towards me. The reason why people are applauding me over my successes in Osun today was because of the great work I did when I was in government and those who turned themselves into enemies today, we worked together in government.
“I thank God who showcased me from Lagos through the help of President Bola Tinubu, he is the architect of my success. I spent 8 years as commissioner in Lagos. In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party. President Tinubu and other Yoruba elders directed me to come and take over Osun State from the opposition.
“With the help of God and the support of Asiwaju, I was able to excel as a Governor for 8 years even though it was not easy with the help of those that turned to my enemy for four years.”
“In 2019, after the Supreme Court judgment, I came to this venue with the person I handed over power to. I counseled that I have played my own part and handed over to the person I loved. But I said, the person must do it right by ensuring unity within the party. If that is done I will now be the godfather. But unfortunately, Satan took over them in interpreting what I said. I never begged for anything from them when he was in power….”