INDEPENDENT NG
In every corridor of power around the globe, there are people who call the shots. Some are seen. Others are invisible. But you hear and see their exploits. They are real. They wield enormous powers such that the real occupier of the office, on behalf of whom the powers are wielded, most times, defers to them and relies on them to take certain critical decisions. Most times, when they are not within reach, critical decisions must be delayed. Unless they have their say, nothing moves, nothing works. They are called the powers behind the throne!
Around President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in those days, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Interior Minister, was the de facto power behind the throne. You hardly got anything without his input and final stamp. Once you encountered Tinubu, the next thing was, ‘go and see Rauf’.
As Governor of Osun State, unless certain Lagos matters got to Osogbo, they were never resolved. Tickets into certain offices in Lagos were got from Osogbo, with the express approval of Rauf.
With Tinubu, Rauf’s words were law. Fall out with Rauf, then you were out of favour with Tinubu.
But somehow, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola mismanaged the relationship, abused the trust and even attempted to play God. Now, he is left in the cold to lick his wounds.
Curiously, rather than retrace his steps, show remorse and find a way to be reintegrated into the fold for possible political rehabilitation, Aregbesola appears to be grandstanding. Unfortunately, those he misled and turned into political orphans in Osun are still urging him on. They are the ones who say they are welcoming him back to Osun. For what, really? I do not know.
As minister, he was treated to a celebratory banquet by the APC government in Osun, led by Adegboyega Oyetola. Today, he is being welcomed not by the Osun State APC.
While in Abuja, he never participated in any election here in Osun. He never showed any iota of concern for Osun as a minister during the raving COVID-19 pandemic. It is on record that as a member of the Presidential Committee on COVID-19, Aregbesola behaved as though Osun needed no support from the FG to the extent that after Osun successfully contained the famous Ejigbo 127 Ivory Coast returnees, he almost forced another set on Osun.
If the so-called ‘welcome home’ gathering is to re-launch himself back to political reckoning, I think Aregbesola and those behind it have missed the point again.
