Op-Ed

Assassination Plots: Why Are President Tinubu’s Supporters Afraid Of Rauf Aregbesola?

ByGuest Writer

PublishedAugust 16, 2025

By Inwalomhe Donald

I found the tweet of Ebirigbonka@ Ebiri disgusting and laughable directing Yorubas to stone and kill Rauf Aregbesola for his current position on party issues and his stand as opposition on the national discourse. Gbonka Ebiri, one of President Tinubu strong supporters, few days ago issued on X platform what amounts to a fatwah — a veiled death threat — against Ọgbẹni Rauf Aregbesola simply because of his political beliefs and affiliations.

In 2020, A former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was declared persona non grata in the state, which he ruled for two terms of eight years. Governor Oyetola had reversed most of the policies of Aregbesol,a including changing the name of the state from “State of Osun” to the original “Osun State”. What happened in Owode in Ogun State two days ago where Police took over the venue of ADC campaign ground and prevented Rauf Aregbesola and other ADC members to campaign for by-election portends a potential attack on Aregbesola. Why are President Tinubu’s supporters afraid of Rauf Aregbesola? It is clear that Rauf Aregbesola has always been the intellectual engine behind Tinubu’s early success. The current failure of President Tinubu’s socio-economic and political policies is evidence that the Midas touch left when he sidelined Aregbesola — sacrificing loyalty and competence on the altar of nepotism and ego.

Gbonka Ebiri’s recent commentary reveals not just a smear campaign, but a dangerous attempt to prepare the ground for political assassination. Gbonka’s undemocratic vitriol is mercenary, irresponsible, and reeks of desperation. Gbonka Ebiri’s assertion that “it should not be acceptable in Yorubaland for Aregbesola to join the camp of haters determined to disgrace your brother from power” is not only fallacious, it is dictatorial, oppressive, and un-Yoruba in spirit and substance.

Gbonka’s incendiary call that “Aregbesola should be made an example in modern times of what happens to sellouts on a self-serving mission” exposes a sinister plot. It is not merely political — it is an existential threat. This is a clear attempt to silence Rauf Aregbesola through intimidation or elimination. But let it be known: the Yoruba, though battered by hardship, remain vigilant and will resist any attempt to harm Ọgbẹni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, a symbol of progressive hope.

Gbonka, with your reckless threats, you have done more to damage Tinubu’s image and credibility than all of his political opponents combined. If anything happens to Aregbesola, history will not only remember the deed — it will remember your role in inciting it.

Clearly, what Gbonka’s statement has exposed is not Aregbesola’s betrayal, but the tyrannical tendencies of a once-celebrated movement that has lost its way. True democrats, Yoruba or otherwise, will not stand idly by.

It is not a constitutional or cultural requirement that Rauf Aregbesola must support Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political ambitions — whether for a second term or any other office. You and your desperate paymasters cannot impose your political will on Ọgbẹni Rauf.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the incomparable icon of Yoruba political thought, never forced his associates to remain loyal when paths diverged. Why should Tinubu’s falling out with Rauf be a matter of life and death? To say “on principle, this should be ruthlessly rejected” in reference to Aregbesola’s independence is both intellectually lazy and democratically bankrupt. It is not Aregbesola’s duty to carry Tinubu’s political baggage forever.

The fact is, despite Gboka hate campaign, Aregbesola is gaining momentum. He is more loved, more trusted, and increasingly seen by the suffering masses as a beacon of hope. He will not, and cannot, face “the wrath of Yorubaland” — no matter how desperately you or your ilk may wish it.

I want to say clearly, Oyetola was not the basis of Tinubu-Aregbesola disagreement, but he was a player. THE ISSUE BETWEEN TINUBU AND AREGBESOLA WAS THE PERCEPTION OF TINUBU THAT AREGBESOLA WOULD CONTEST THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AGAINST HIM. If you don’t understand this, sorry, you are at sea on the matter and except you probe deeper, you will sink deep into ignorance.

“Oyetola played well his role to reverse Aregbesola’s works in Osun and deny him the platform of the state. This is just as Tinubu also folded up the Lagos platform, ostensibly to deny him any political base for the purported presidential ambition.

“But labelling anyone perfidious on matters of political choice has no place in a democracy which guarantees freedom of choice.”

While varied positions have been taken on the matter, many followers of President Tinubu have described Aregbesola as a traitor, betrayer and ingrate who worked against his benefactor for pecuniary gains. However, fresh facts on the matter have emerged.

In a rejoinder to Mayor Akinpelu’s article titled, “Rauf Aregbesola’s Perdify,” Sola Fasure, the ex-Interior minister’s media adviser explained that the perceived presidential ambition of the former Governor of Osun was at the root of the crisis.

Fasure stated that the duo’s relationship was mutual and beneficial politically, as they had contributed in one way or the other to their collective successes in the past.

The spokesperson to the former Governor added that Aregbesola’s mobilisation prowess was instrumental to the President’s electoral triumphs before, during and after his governorship in Lagos, one which merits his elevation and support to realise his ambition.

He argued that the decision to make the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) irrelevant politically in Osun was premeditated by those who believed the former would truncate Tinubu’s chances of winning the election.

His words, “To be clear, the relationship between Aregbesola and Tinubu began in the ill-fated Third Republic when Tinubu just joined politics and wanted to contest the Lagos West Senatorial primary election of the SDP. He needed a pointsman in Alimoso and was directed to Rauf Aregbesola, who not only won the primary but the election itself for him.”

In October 2024 ,the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress announced the suspension of former governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, over allegations of anti-party activities. The suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings initiated by the state’s party leadership.

The All Progressives Congress has expelled a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities.

Aregbesola, who led Osun State for two terms, had spearheaded a faction within the APC known as The Osun Progressives, which was later rebranded as the Omoluabi Caucus. A letter from the APC leadership officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion. The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

Inwalomhe Donald writes via inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com

The opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the author. It does not represent the editorial position or opinion of OSUN DEFENDER.