Tinubu, Aregbesola’s rift not good for South West – Groups

The League of South West Civil Society and Community Based Organisations yesterday advocated reconciliation between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Interior and former governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The Coalition of civil society organisations stated that there is no dispute that cannot be settled and urged those fuelling the crisis to stop what they called “unwarranted attacks” on Aregbesola but rather toe the path of peace and reconciliation.

At a press conference in Lagos, the spokesman for the League, Taiwo Adeleye, stated that the attacks on the Minister are unnecessary and must stop.

Daily Trust reports that Tinubu and Aregbesola had disagreed over the second term ambition of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola with Aregbesola vowing to stop his predecessor from getting a second term ticket.

After the victory of Oyetola in the Osun APC primary ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, the APC in Alismosho Local Government in Lagos believed to be Aregbesola’s stronghold had protested against, saying he is no more relevant in the politics.

But told journalists yesterday that the continued face off between the duo is not in the interest of either of the two, adding that the crisis is a dispute that ‘can set the entire South West on the path to internal combustion’.

Adeleye added that the Asiwaju Tinubu had on many occasions commended Aregbesola for being “an honest, upright, dutiful and diligent fighter,” noting thag Aregbesola remains a source of pride to Asiwaju Tinubu.

He said, “We do not belong to the school that thinks the crisis must linger. It is an ill wind that blows no one any good. We recognize the strength, potentials, opportunities and weaknesses of both actors and strongly believe that as humans, none of them is perfect.

“That the crisis has continued to blossom is a weakness on the part of the two and a show of lack of capacity to manage dispute on the part of all of us. In politics, disagreements are normal. When such disputes are nipped in the bud, it is for the benefit of all, including the society on whose behalf both actors contend.”

He therefore stated that the civil society, grass roots organizations and community based groups across Yoruba territories will set up a committee that will explore the potentials of reconciling the two personalities.