Ex-Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said his advice to his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, was misinterpreted and caused disagreement in the party.
Before addressing a sizeable number of supporters at a rally held in Osogbo to receive him back to the state after leaving office as a minister on Wednesday, Aregbesola had earlier paid homage to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, in his palace in Ilesa, before visiting the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
Speaking at the rally, ex-governor Aregbesola also noted the sacrifices of many people in APC that were currently not associating with him because of the disagreement in the party in the successes his administration recorded as the governor of Osun.
He, however, sought forgiveness from anyone who felt aggrieved and paid glowing tributes to the president, Bola Tinubu, for allowing him to serve as a commissioner in Lagos State before helping him emerge as governor in Osun State.
Aregbesola, who spoke in Yoruba, further said, “I am here today for reconciliation. Some of the things I did that made you love me—I’m not the only person who did those things. The people who turned themselves into enemies today took part in them with me.
“Even though in the last four years, the devil wanted to use some of our people, After the Supreme Court judgement in 2020, we were together in this place (Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo), where we called on our people to be united.
“I said on that day I had done my own and handed over to the person I wanted, but I warned that it was then left for the person I handed over to be a good person and that I would be the king’s father.
“That was what they misinterpreted. I didn’t ask them for anything, and with all I did then, they didn’t want to be with us, but if there is any other sin I don’t know about, I seek forgiveness.”
