Aregbesola denies fighting Tinubu

Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed reports of a rift with APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, as a tissue of lies.

An online publication had cited the dissolution of political groups launched by Aregbesola in Lagos and a 2023 presidential ambition from the former Osun Governor, as reasons behind his "cold war" with Tinubu.

However, in press statement he sent to Pulse, Aregbesola debunked claims of nursing a presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 vote.

He also dismissed claims that he is at war "with his leader and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

He said he had to speak "against the background of the lies peddled by an online publication."

Aregbesola said his loyalty to Asiwaju is not only total, his commitment to whatever the leader wants is unwavering.

Aregbesola denies reports of a rift with Tinubu (The Nation) Aregbesola denies reports of a rift with Tinubu (The Nation) Pulse Nigeria

The minister revealed that he knew where the story was coming from and the identity of those sponsoring it.

"Rift with Asiwaju Tinubu? Nothing can be more impossible! Nothing can be farther from the truth. I remain committed to my mentor," Aregbesola said, adding that "the group our detractors claim has been banned is the most committed to the realization of Asiwaju's ambition."

The minister continued: "They even said I have presidential ambition. False!"

Aregbesola reiterated that the APC is one, adding that the party is like an oak tree that keeps growing.

He said his focus and goal is to execute his ministerial duties as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also urged his supporters to ignore the publication in its entirety and "refrain from being distracted from the goal of building a strong APC as well as a united Nigeria."

During a recent colloquium to commemorate his 63rd birthday, Aregbesola had said he owes everything he has become, to Tinubu.

"The hero of what I have done and become today is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He takes all the glory apart from God," Aregbesola had said.

Tinubu reacts

Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos, has also reacted to the alleged rift.

In a statement, Tinubu said; "Today, the Governor’s Advisory Council(GAC), the highest decision-making body within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, passed a resolution calling for the disbandment of all factional groups within the party.

President Muhammadu Buhari and APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu (Presidency) Pulse Nigeria

"This was to promote discipline, harmony and cohesion and engender party supremacy. The APC is one united political family in Lagos.

"Our attention has, however, been drawn to a report in an online newspaper alleging that the GAC’s appropriate and candid resolution had worsened a phantom cold war between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

"This is a figment of the imagination of the news organization that authored the report. Asiwaju Tinubu remains Ogbeni Aregbesola’s leader. The former governor of Osun State has been unswervingly and wholly committed to the progressive ideology of the Tinubu political family.

"There is no war, cold or hot, between them. There has never been and there will never be. Asiwaju believes in him and he believes in the APC leader.

"Ogbeni Aregbesola is a strong member of the political family. The GAC position does not imply any division within the group. The resolution is well-meaning and should not be misinterpreted."

Aregbesola served as Tinubu's Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos before heading back home to contest and win the Osun governorship election.

He served as Osun Governor from 2010 to 2018.