Politics

Who Bewitched Aregbesola? The Falling Out of a Trusted Ally and the Tragedy of Political Betrayal

Published

2 months ago

August 29, 2025

Editor’s note: In this piece, Dr. ’Toks Oguntuga, political analyst and communication expert, recounts how Rauf Aregbesola rose through Tinubu’s support only to break away in dramatic fashion. His analysis shows a painful story of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal in Nigerian politics.

A peasant made prince
Once upon a not-so-distant time, Rauf Aregbesola was a struggling technician, a humble man who mended refrigerators and air conditioners in Lagos, eking out a living in the shadows of obscurity.

By the invisible hands of fate, or more accurately, by the benevolent reach of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rauf was lifted from obscurity into relevance.…Click link for details

In 1999, Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos State, appointed him Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, a position he held for an unprecedented eight years. It was not merely an appointment; it was an elevation. A political anointing

From there, Tinubu did not stop. He cleared the path for Aregbesola to contest the Osun State governorship, a battle Tinubu financed, fought, and won for him. Again, eight years of uninterrupted power. And when the gubernatorial mantle passed, Tinubu’s political structure stood behind his appointment as a federal minister under President Muhammadu Buhari.

That’s 24 years of continuous political relevance, a legacy only possible through the unwavering trust, investment, and mentorship of one man: Tinubu.

The godfather and the knife
Yet, in a stunning twist of Shakespearian betrayal, the very man who was once so trusted that Tinubu could allegedly say: “If you see me asleep and you see Rauf coming to me with a knife in his hands, don’t stop him or wake me.” — Prof. Adeyeye (former Senator)

…is the same man who, in the heat of political ambition and wounded pride, turned the proverbial knife.

When Tinubu supported Gboyega Oyetola, his cousin, as Aregbesola’s successor in Osun, a storm of resentment brewed in Aregbesola’s heart. Rather than submit to the democratic will of his political structure or show the humility of a statesman, he openly turned against his benefactor. He mocked, derided, and accused Tinubu of “playing God.”

This is not dissent. This is desecration.

This was not ideological divergence.

This was naked treachery. Aregbesola did not merely disagree; he defected. He abandoned the party and camp that fed, nurtured, and made him. He joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move calculated to weaken his former party and sabotage the political destiny of his long-time benefactor.

The collapse of moral credibility
To those who defend Aregbesola, I ask: What moral standing can a man claim who turns his back on the very ladder that lifted him?

Leadership demands character. Integrity. Gratitude. Even in disagreement, there is a path of honour. That path does not include public calumny or political sabotage.

Aregbesola had the political right to be disappointed, but he had no moral right to weaponize that disappointment into betrayal.

The breakdown of logic
If Tinubu is indeed the godfather, the mastermind, and the architect of Aregbesola’s political life, as every historical fact supports, what logic compels one to bite the very hand that built him?

How can one justify burning the bridge after safely crossing the river? Political succession is never a birthright. It is a negotiation. A consensus. A privilege, not an entitlement. That Aregbesola would turn against his political home simply because he did not get to anoint his own successor is not only immature, it is antithetical to democratic politics.

The tragedy of it all
This is more than a political squabble. It is a tragic story of ingratitude. A man loved, trusted, and empowered, turning into a rebel with no just cause. The pain is not just Tinubu’s; it is every mentor’s nightmare. It is every father’s heartbreak. It is every organization’s risk when loyalty is measured only by convenience.

We recall the years of loyalty, the photographs of unity, the speeches of mutual admiration, and now contrast them with a bitter, divided legacy. The tragedy is not that they disagreed. It is that Rauf forgot.

So, who Bewitched Aregbesola?
Was it ambition? Was it pride? Was it an illusion of independence? Or was it the age-old disease of power making men forget their origins?

Only Rauf can truly answer that. But we, as Nigerians, as observers, as professionals, and as future leaders, must take a clear lesson:

Loyalty must never be seasonal. Gratitude must never be optional. And betrayal must never be normalized.

In the corridors of politics, as in life, there will always be disagreements. But there must also be decorum, fidelity, and above all, gratitude.

The Rauf Aregbesola saga is not just a political fallout; it is a cautionary tale.

Let no man rise so high that he forgets the hand that held him up. For in the end, history remembers not only those who climbed but those who kicked away the ladder after reaching the top.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” — Cicero

And ingratitude? It is the silent dagger in the back of trust Dr. ‘Toks Oguntuga is a seasoned academic researcher, strategic communication expert, political analyst, and speechwriter with a PhD in Presidential Crisis Rhetoric and over a decade of experience in high-stakes political and communication environments.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Legit.ng/dailyvoice.ng

-Source: Legit

Politics

JUST IN: Ohabunwa Emerges Factional PDP BOT Chairman

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has elected Mao Ohabunwa as the chairman of its new board of trustees (BoT).

Ohabunwa was elected on Friday after a meeting at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister’s official residence in Abuja.

At the event, Isah Dansidi emerged as the secretary of the board.

Speaking during the inauguration, Abdulrahman said the move was to restore true values to the party and regain public trust.

The PDP chairman said: “We have come together not merely to inaugurate a new board of trustees but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law”.

According to him, recent developments in the party, such as internal challenges and disputes, have set the party off from the very principles that formed it.

“We must also be honest with ourselves – the decay we are correcting today did not start yesterday. It began when we abandoned the principle of zoning before the 2015 elections. It began when we allowed ambition to override equity, and when we ignored the cries of reason from within our own ranks. The consequences of those decisions still haunt us today,” he said.

“I stand before you to assure every member of this great party that under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution.

“We will rebuild this party with transparency. We will respect court judgments and the rule of law. We will conduct our congresses with fairness and integrity. We will restore public trust and make the PDP once again the moral voice of Nigeria’s democracy.”

He vowed to reposition the party and bring peace.

At the meeting were PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyawu, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, among others

Politics

INEC Receives PDP’s Notice Of Suspension Of Anyanwu, Others

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

INEC Rejects PDP NEC Meeting Notice Over Procedural Breach

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged receipt of the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspending four of its top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Others suspended are the National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.); the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.

Naija News reports that the development was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) held in Abuja.

According to the party, INEC was officially notified through a letter conveying the NWC’s resolution from its 608th emergency meeting, where the affected officers were sanctioned over alleged anti-party activities.

The letter, signed by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and other top officials, stated that the suspensions were made in line with Sections 57(3), 58(1)(a)(b)(c)(h) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution, suspends the following national officers from the party:

“Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary

“Hon. Umar Bature – National Organising Secretary

“Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) – National Legal Adviser

“Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser.

The above-named officers are consequently suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action,” the letter read.

The commission was also informed that during the period of suspension, the affected officials “shall cease to function in their respective capacities.”

In the interim, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. (Arc.) Setonji Koshoedo, has been directed to serve as Acting National Secretary, in accordance with Section 36(2) of the party’s constitution.

Similarly, the National Director of Legal Services and the National Director of Organisation have been assigned to oversee the operations of their respective departments until further notice.

The letter addressed to INEC read, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 608th emergency meeting considered the continued anti-party activities of some National Officers despite the formal reprimand issued by the Party.

The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of Section 57(3), 58 (1XaX(b\{c) and (h) and 59 (1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (POP) (As Amended in 2017) suspends the following National Officers from the Party. 1. Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary 2. Hon. Umar Bature – National Organizing Secretary 3. Barr. Kamaideen Ajibade – National Legal Adviser, 4. Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser, The above-name National Officers are consequently suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. During the period of the suspension, the affected officers cease to function in their respective capacities.

Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the POP Constitution, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall forthwith act as the National Secretary while the National Director of Legal Services and National Director of Organization are hereby directed to oversee the activities of their respective Directorate.

“While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept thee assurances of the National Working Committee’s highest regards,” the PDP said in the letter signed by Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary and Hon. Yayari Ahmed, National Treasurer and Dr. Woyengikuro Ambrose Daniel, National Financial Secretary.

Politics

Jonathan Fingered Obama Over His 2015 Election Defeat

Published

6 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Daily Voice

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has alleged that ex-US President Barack Obama, plotted his defeat in 2015.

Jonathan made this allegation in his new book, ‘My Transition Hours’ due to launch on Tuesday.

He said Obama displayed an unusual level of bias during the 2015 elections, describing him as overbearing and ‘condescending’ in his message to Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general election.

According to Jonathan, “On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians, all but telling them how to vote.”

Giving the details in the book, Jonathan said, “In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open the ‘next chapter’ by their votes.

“Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government.”

According to Premium Times, which obtained a copy of the book hours before its unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan had kept the book secret in order to avoid excerpts of it being published ahead of its formal launch.

DAILY POST recalls that Jonathan lost the 2015 elections to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first time an incumbent president would lose reelection.

He assumed office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, getting his own mandate of four years at the 2011 presidential election.

“The message was so condescending, it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to direct them,” Jonathan said of the video message.

He lampooned Obama, who was American president from 2009 until 2017, for saying all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear but was reluctant to allow the Nigerian security forces drive Boko Haram insurgents away from the Nigerian territories they had been occupying in order to free Nigerian citizens there ahead of elections.

Jonathan also took a harsh aim at former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying the diplomat was nonchalant in his attitude towards his government, despite all efforts to make him understand that the decision to postpone election was in the overall interest of Nigeria.

“How can the U.S. Secretary of State know what is more important for Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government? How could they have expected us to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the Northeast and were killing and maiming Nigerians?

“Not even the assurance of the sanctity of May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In Nigeria, the Constitution is very clear: No President can extend his tenure by one day,” Jonathan said.