{FEATURE} Aregbesola: One Visit, Many Reactions

 

By Ismaeel Uthman 

LAST Friday, January 14, 2022, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was in Ilesa to commission a Digital Nigeria Centre (DNC) project, located at Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ilesa, State of Osun. The centre was facilitated by Aregbesola.

The DNC, hitherto known as School Knowledge Centre (SNC), targets students and youth for skills acquisition in order to increase Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy among school teachers and students. The project also provides a platform for accessing online educational resources; equip students with ICT skills; facilitate ICT adoption in teaching and learning; and increase pass rate in mathematics, English Language and science subjects.

The four components of the DNC include ICT Tool component (made up of 40 desktop computers with embedded operating systems, server, printer, remote-controlled projector, high resolution scanner, and e-learning software). Another component is the Power structure, consisting of an inverter that comes with its charger, solar panels, batteries and automatic changeover. There is also a connectivity component, made up of routers, switches, firewall for network protection, modem, fibre/microwave radio or VSAT and bandwidth for internet connectivity. Finally, there is a non-ICT component constitutive of the furniture, cabinet, cooling systems, and allied appliances.

During the commissioning, Aregbesola in his speech titled, “Digital Skills and Literacy for Jobs and Social Inclusion,” noted that the project prepares Nigerians in advance with digital skill and literacy for a future that will soon be driven strictly by technology, saying some major auto makers have decided to stop the production of combustion engines in the next 40 years.

The minister noted that the project is also a testament to the unwavering commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to deploying technology to better the citizens’ quality of life and experience, saying It also goes to emphasise the pre-eminent role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for improving standards of living as a people.

However, the DNC commissioning would not have been louder or well reported, but for some political statements made by Aregbesola which sent tongues wagging; creating reactions and counter-reactions. The Minister declared at the event that APC is divided in Osun and that he belongs to The Osun Progressives (TOP) faction of the party. 

The statement was coming a week after the Spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Ajbola Basiru, tried to dissociate Aregbesola from TOP, describing leaders and members of the caucus as disgruntled elements on a radio programme in Osogbo. Basiru, who some people had referred to as a de facto deputy governor during the Aregbesola’s administration because of his influence, had pitched his tent with Oyetola in the feud between the governor and his predecessor. Aregbesola’s statement also came few hours after the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan said on the same radio station that the activities of TOP members do not have the blessing of the Minister. 

Strategically, Aregbesola punctured the misinformation being given at the National Secretariat of the APC by Governor Oyetola and his apologists that TOP members are political orphans who are also minorities in the party. The Minister also established the fact that APC in the state is sharply divided, even when he admitted that work was ongoing to reunite the party members. 

For days, Aregbesola’s statement dominated discussions in both the traditional and social media, as members of Governor Oyetola-led IleriOluwa faction and TOP faction exchanged words. Leading the verbal assault on Aregbesola was the factional Chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun in an official statement. Famodun berated the Minister, saying his conduct is far below societal expectation, considering his position in the country. He described Aregbesola as an arrogant and inconsiderate politician who wants the whole world to be his possession. Famodun said Aregbesola should perish the thought and notion of being the Alpha and Omega of Osun progressives politics, saying he is only grandstanding in the glory of the past. 

However, contrary to Famodun’s claim that Aregbesola is grandstanding in the glory of the past, OSUN DEFENDER observed that each time the minister visits Osun, it has always been a campaign rally-like outing where people, majorly common residents of the state, would troop out to welcome their former governor with love, funfair and excitement.  The medium noted that each of Aregbesola’s functions in the state has always been well attended by quality politicians and members of the public with a crowd far larger than any state function with Oyetola in attendance. Apart from the crowd at event, the reaction of residents of the areas where Aregbesola passes through or stays have always been pleasant with an expression of genuine love and passion for the former governor. 

During the commissioning of the DNC in Ilesa last Friday, the common people who are not members of any political party, as observed, reaffirmed their love for the Minister as they trooped out to welcome him into the town. 

Bystanders, passers-by and other residents of Ilesa forced Aregbesola’s convoy to a halt at the roundabout after leaving the programme for Jumat prayer, as they stormed the road shouting: “Aregbesola, baba Kabiru, we have missed you”, and all sorts of excitement propelled statements. The former governor was forced to alight from his vehicle and walk down to the mosque to meet up with the time. The minister’s convoy did not also have a smooth ride to and fro the Correctional Centre, Ilesa where he went to inspect a project after the Jumat prayer. At every junction, the people trooped out to greet Aregbesola and this resulted into standstill for not less than 15 minutes. 

At Sabo and Wesley junctions vis-a-vis Odo-Oro Garage, Aregbesola’s convoy was stopped by the people who occupied the road in jubilation of the former governor’s presence. Aregbesola had to stand up in his open-roof jeep to acknowledge greetings from the people, raising his usual two energetic fingers. Commercial motorcyclists and other commuters were shouting ‘Aregbesola’ on top of their voices on sighting the Minister. The scenes were purely a display of genuine love. Aregbesola’s security details had to plead with the excited people to create way for the convoy. The jubilant people, who were over 2,000, followed Aregbesola down to his house in Amuta.  

The love of the people for Aregbesola was evidence based. At the commissioning programme, a journalist said: “I have missed Aregbesola. Coming to this programme is a relief for me. It has been long that I attended a lively state function. All the state functions now are dull, very dull. I am just happy being here; seeing Aregbesola in his usual character, bringing life to function. If crowd control is anything to go by, no politician could match up Aregbesola.”

Reacting to Famodun’s statement, the Publicity Secretary of the Hon. Rasaq Salinsile led faction of the APC, Comrade Biodun Agboola, described Famodun as a failed party administrator and harbinger of misfortune into the party, saying that his incompetence, gluttonous attitude and hypocrisy brought the Osun APC to where it is today.

Agboola said the party took exception to ‘crude and gutter languages Famodun employed in his needless response’ to the Minister’s views on the state of affairs of the party.

“This type of attitude makes reconciliation almost impossible with such character”, said Abiodun. 

According to him, Famodun refused to speak the truth and failed to act as a responsible party chairman at the early state of the crisis in the party, saying it is unfortunate that Famodun became an errand boy for lily-liver politicians because of the ‘change’ they give him. 

The statement reads: “Eventually, Famodun owns up to the fact that he is not fit to be the Chairman by virtue of his response to the comment made by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Famodun confirmed our position long time ago of his inability to manage the party. His inability to know when to talk and when not to talk is a serious defect on his person. 

“It is not surprising that because of his inglorious need to please his paymaster, Famodun decided to act and talk irresponsibly about the former governor. Even though Aregbesola has left government, Famodun lacks the integrity and morality to make enemy of him.

“No rational chairman will employ gutter languages he used on the Minister who was once his breadwinner as governor.

“Famodun is reaping bountifully from the crisis, hence, will never want it end. Whatever manner peace is proposed, Famodun’s headship of the party is inconceivable.”

As observed, Aregbesola’s visitation to Osun always sparks reaction from both his friends and foes. It has always been one visit, many reactions. The Minister is not just a newsmaker, he is also a political communication strategist.