According to Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, the former Minister of Interior, President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari played significant roles as his political mentors.

“I need to thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. It was through him that I became a commissioner in Lagos State and a two-term governor in Osun,’’ Aregbesola said in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, expressed his gratitude towards President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, attributing them as his political benefactors. Aregbesola’s political journey began in 1999 when he was appointed by then Governor Bola Tinubu as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State, a position he held for eight years until 2007. 

Tinubu’s support and influence continued to play a pivotal role in Aregbesola’s career, as he was instrumental in Aregbesola’s subsequent appointment as the governor of Osun State. From 2010 to 2018, Aregbesola served as the governor of Osun, thanks in part to Tinubu’s support and guidance throughout the political process. Aregbesola’s acknowledgment of Tinubu and Buhari underscores the significant impact both leaders had on shaping his political trajectory.

From 2019 to 2023, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola served as the Minister of Interior, following his appointment by former President Buhari.

During a welcome party organized by his loyalists, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola expressed his gratitude towards President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for their significant contributions to his political achievements. Aregbesola acknowledged their support and mentorship, recognizing their instrumental roles in shaping his political journey.

Furthermore, Aregbesola extended his appreciation to former President Buhari for granting him the opportunity to serve as a minister in his cabinet. He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and acknowledged the valuable experience gained during his tenure as Minister of Interior under Buhari’s leadership. Aregbesola’s remarks highlight his acknowledgement of the contributions made by both Tinubu and Buhari to his political career.

“I come back to thank you, the people of Osun and those who made it possible for me to progress in politics.

“I appreciate former President Muhammadu Buhari; after God, it was he that made me the minister; the assignment, which I just concluded,’’ he said.

However, Aregbesola emphasized the need for the restructuring of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state.

Aregbesola expressed his disappointment at the mismanagement of the APC in the state, resulting in its decline. In 2019, he advocated for party unity and warned that the failure to unite various interest groups within the party would lead to unfavorable outcomes.

“I am here today to seek restructuring of the party.

“I did not offend anybody; but whoever feels that we offended him or her should forgive us.

“In 2019, after the Supreme Court affirmed the mandate of the former governor, I called for unity in the party.

“I warned that disunity would not produce any good result. But devil did not allow those handling the party’s affairs at that time to listen.

“We seek forgiveness from those who are smearing our image, though we never offended them.

“We are here for the restructuring of the party and that is why we are begging anybody that feels that we offended him or her to forgive us,’’ Aregbesola stressed.

Prior to the aforementioned event, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola paid a visit to the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, situated in Ilesa. Subsequently, he also visited the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, located in Osogbo.

During these visits, Aregbesola conveyed his sincere gratitude to the esteemed traditional rulers for their unwavering support throughout his political career. The visits served as an opportunity for Aregbesola to express his appreciation and recognize the invaluable contributions of the traditional rulers to his political journey.