The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has offered reasons why he was not at the meeting convened by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to resolve the face-ff between him and the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
According to available information, the meeting took place on Tuesday at a private residence of the Alaafin in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Reacting to the meeting, Tinubu’s Media Adviser, Alhaji Tunde Rahman, said in a chat that his boss was unopposed to the reconciliatory effort.
Rahman, who spoke on behalf of his boss, however, revealed that the former two-term Governor of Lagos State was not invited to the meeting Aregbesola was reported to have requested for with Oba Adeyemi and Oba Ogunwusi to resolve the face-off.
He said: “Yes, I saw the pictures of the meeting on social media as you did too.
“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was not invited to the meeting.
“I can tell you that clearly.
“I believe the two traditional rulers intend to reach out to him later.
“But let me say this clearly: Asiwaju Tinubu has tremendous respect for the traditional institution and particularly for the two eminent royal fathers.
“You would recall that only recently during his consultations and engagements with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Oyo and Osun States on his presidential aspiration, Asiwaju visited and interfaced with HRM Iku Baba Yeye Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and HRM Onirisa, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in their respective domains.
“If you ask me what Asiwaju’s attitude will be to the reconciliation move, of course, he will welcome and support it.
“Don’t forget that Asiwaju and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, are from the same political family.
“Asiwaju appointed him Commissioner for Works for eight years during his time as Lagos governor.
“He also later drafted him into the Osun governorship race and supported him to be governor in Osun for eight years.
“I think Asiwaju will factor all of that and where both of them are coming from into the reconciliation efforts.
“He will not oppose the idea.”