Dr. Ajibola Basiru, a former senator from Osun Central in the 9th Senate, has questioned Rauf Aregbesola’s affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (AGC). According to Basiru, the former Interior Minister’s actions during the 2019 general elections raised questions about his devotion to the party.
Basiru denied going to the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, to solicit support for his reelection during his account of his stewardship at his campaign headquarters in Osogbo since the traditional ruler did not act impartially amongst parties fielding candidates at the polls.
In his speech, Basiru failed to mention Aregbesola, who lost his quest for reelection in the general elections of 2023 to Olubiyi Fadeyi of the Peoples Democratic Party. He thanked prominent APC figures but left Aregbesola’s name out.
Basiru responded, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu contested on the same day that I contested the National Assembly election; our former minister and leader was not present to vote for his benefactor and mentor. That is why Aregbesola was not mentioned in the roll call of APC leaders. He didn’t show up to campaign, he didn’t show up to support the party, and he didn’t even show up to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as is on record.
“I told you the recently-retired Interior Minister was our leader, but I don’t know which party he currently belongs to,” continued Basiru. I’m still determining. Cite me; I don’t know what party he belongs to, but he was our leader. He has not participated in any of our party’s activities over the last three elections.
Basiru’s assertion was refuted by Aregbesola’s aide Mr. Sola Fasure, who said that the former governor of Osun was committed to bringing the APC together in the state, demonstrating his allegiance to it.
