Abdul-Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is a political tactician; his political prowess has placed him in such offices like Commissioner for Works in Lagos State for two terms, Governor of Osun State for two terms and Minister for Internal Affairs for four years. Very few politicians were that lucky! While his ascendance into these offices lasted, he was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s man-Friday, he once boasted while he was the Governor of Osun State that “I am Tinubu’s political first son, I enter his bedroom at will and he never does anything without my input.” Such was their intimacy and the power he wielded until few years ago. Today, the once bourgeoning relationship has gone sour, the center can no longer hold between the once inseparable father and his prospective political heir. While the former is in the saddle now, calling the shots, the latter is behind the fence, peeping from afar. What could have gone wrong? Many reasons were alluded to this separation. Shortly after former Governor Gboyega Oyetola took over from his predecessor, a big gulf came in-between them which became so acrimonious, rancorous and unsettling as Aregbesola became a persona non-grata. This led to his establishment of The Osun progressives (TOP) with branches across Osun State. TOP owe it to The All Progressives Party for losing the gubernatorial election in Osun State as it is believed that it worked in support of Senator Ademola Adeleke and his PDP. However, the straw that broke the Camel’s back was his “jam talk” at an event in Ilesha where he took his leader and benefactor (BAT) to the cleaners, mocking his health, saying he’s already peeing on his body. It was a most loquacious mockery that didn’t sit well on his principal and his followers. He even went further to say if anybody exalts himself where he is, he will tell God to downgrade such person (in apparent reference to Tinubu.) It was a turning point in a robust and fruitful relationship that spans some decades. Even if Tinubu as characteristic of him wanted to overlook Aregbesola’s shortcomings, his allies, confidants and aides won’t hear any of it as they blocked all avenues of reconciliation. In the circle of President Tinubu, the moment you are noticed to have anything to do with Aregbesola, you are immediately ostracized. There was a case of a diplomat whom Tinubu liked so much who attempted to put in words for Aregbesola but Tinubu told him bluntly not to mention the name Aregbesola again, let alone discuss him. The meeting ended abruptly shortly after then. Such was the level of animosity between them. Aregbesola having tried all efforts at reconciliation without success has decided to take the bulls by the horns by being a man of his own. To this end, he is presently exerting so much energy on his political group named Omoluabi Progressives, their political activities in Osun State is remarkable in apparent preparation for Osun 2026 where they hope to float a new party through which they would contest the coming gubernatorial election in Osun State. Aregbesola believes he has all it takes to present a party and a candidate that will win the gubernatorial election, thereby assuming the role of a godfather to shame his critics and political enemies. Last week, in one of their gatherings, the Omoluwabi Progressives waxed an album which went viral on social media, in it; they sang with reckless abandon “to hell with the fish seller, Aregbesola is here with a better alternative of a cow meat, to hell with the fish seller…” It’s a song that is loaded with meaning which simple interpretation is that the die is cast. To his teeming followers, Aregbesola has brought to them a better alternative of a cow meat comparative to a fish. Of a truth, a cow can give them barbecue, pepper soup, Asun, Suya and what have you. Now that Aregbesola has brought his cow to Nigeria’s political landscape, I guess it is time to party!
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