Osun ADC New Media Insists Aregbesola’s Ministerial Nomination Was Buhari, Stakeholders’ Decision — Not Tinubu’s Endorsement

The Osun chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) New Media has dismissed claims that former governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, owed his ministerial appointment under the late President Muhammadu Buhari to the endorsement of then APC leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the Publicity Secretary of Osun ADC New Media, Akande Abimbola, described the claims as “deliberate falsehood shamelessly pushed” by Ismail Omipidan, former spokesperson to ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

“For the records: when it was time for Buhari to form his cabinet, the authentic stakeholders of the Osun APC unanimously nominated Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as their candidate,” Abimbola said. “However, despite this clear resolution, the then Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, refused to forward Aregbesola’s name to President Buhari. Instead, he submitted the names of Senator Iyiola Omisore, Professor Isaac Adewole, and Professor Adeyeye.”

According to him, Aregbesola only went to inform Tinubu of the decision of Osun stakeholders and Oyetola’s action, not to seek approval. “Instead of supporting the decision, Tinubu kept Aregbesola waiting for 45 minutes before reluctantly telling him to forget about being a minister and suggesting he should settle for a board chairmanship,” he alleged.

Abimbola further claimed Tinubu lobbied Buhari against the nomination. “On two occasions, Tinubu went back to Buhari lobbying for Aregbesola’s removal. Yet Buhari refused, reminding Tinubu that Aregbesola had worked tirelessly for the birth of APC and for the Buhari presidency, and could not be pushed aside for petty political grudges.”

He insisted that Buhari’s eventual inclusion of Aregbesola’s name on his ministerial list showed the appointment reflected the will of Osun stakeholders, not Tinubu’s influence.

“Aregbesola’s ministerial slot was the mandate of Osun APC stakeholders, ratified by Buhari himself. Tinubu neither nominated nor endorsed him in fact, he fought against him,” Abimbola declared.

The Osun ADC New Media therefore urged Omipidan and his allies to “stop peddling propaganda,” stressing that “no amount of lies can erase the truth of history.”

Efforts to reach Omipidan for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.