Outgoing Interior Minister Rauf Aleg Besola sought forgiveness from former Gov. Adeboyega Ojetola and others who may have been offended by his actions over the past four years.
Aregbesola, who was the Governor of Osun between 2010 to 2018, handed over to Oyetola who served under him as Chief of Staff after he won the 2018 governorship election.
He opposed Oyetola’s re-election and accused the party elders of not punishing him (Oyetola) for reversing his policies.
Aregbesola, who arrived in Osun State after serving as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, visited the palaces of Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun before heading to address his supporters at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park via Old Garage, Osogbo capital of Osun State.
The former minister, who spoke in Yoruba, praised Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve.
He also praised President Bolatinub as his fateful helper, entrusting power to him.
According to him: “I returned to Osun not for hostility or vitriol, but for reconciliation in our party.
I came here today to ask for forgiveness from anyone who has offended me.
The reason why people applauded me for my successes in Osun today is because of the great work I did when I was in the government and those who turned themselves into enemies today we worked together in the government.
“I thank God that he showed me from Lagos through the help of President Bola Tinubu, he is the architect of my success.
I spent 8 years as a commissioner in Lagos.
In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party.
President Tinubu and other Yoruba elders came and directed me to take over Osun Province from the opposition.
“With God’s help and the support of Ashivaju, I was able to succeed as governor for 8 years, although it was not easy with the help of those who turned to my enemy for four years.”
“In 2019, after the Supreme Court decision, I came to this place with the person to whom I handed over power.
I counseled that I have played my own part and handed over to the person I loved.
But I said, someone must do that by ensuring there is unity within the party.
If that is done I will now be the godfather.
But unfortunately Satan took over them to explain what I said.
I never begged for anything from them when he was in power.
“I say it today and ask for forgiveness.
After this, we won’t beg anyone anymore.
We do not offend anyone and we do not believe that anyone has offended us.
But it is possible that they believe that we have offended them. That is why we apologize to them.”
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