Former INEC Commissioner, Olurode, Urges Aregbesola to Seek Personal Reconciliation with Tinubu

The duo must reconcile in interest of Yoruba, says Farounbi, Former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Lai Olurode; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi and Head of Department (HoD), Political Science and International Relations, Kola Daisi University, Ibadan, Dr. (Mrs.) Adebukola Ayoola, yesterday, urged former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, to seek genuine reconciliation with President Bola Tinubu for the sake of the progressives, the Yoruba and peace.

Olurode said it would be in the interest of Aregbesola, the progressives and Osun for him to seek genuine reconciliation with Tinubu.

According to him, Aregbesola needs Tinubu more than Tinubu needs him.

The sociology professor urged Aregbesola to seek informal reconciliation rather than on the pages of newspapers or by propaganda, adding that he could go to Chief Bisi Akande and Afenifere leaders for them to reconcile him with Tinubu.

He, however, urged Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Aregbesola to rebuild the party’s electoral assets in Osun without media jamboree.

Farounbi said the two leaders must reconcile in the greater interest of the Yoruba.

HOWEVER, Ayoola said: “This disagreement between Aregbesola and his erstwhile boss was definitely based on a clash of interest at the time in the build-up to the 2023 election. Post-election, with the emergence of Tinubu as the President, has presented a different scenario, hence likely reason for Aregbesola wanting to reconcile.”

He added: “Reconciliation if he truly seeks it, remains the only avenue for Aregbesola to remain relevant in the scheme of things.

‘’From an individual level of analysis, my ‘subjective’ view will not advise him to. It’s like a dog going back to his vomit nevertheless, to err is human and seeking forgiveness and receiving it is divine. The holy book says we should seek peace with all men. In this case, he can seek reconciliation for the sake of peace and not for appointment purposes.”

The former ambassador further said: “There is a Yoruba adage that translates that there are no people who are close who will not disagree. There are also no people who disagree who will not later agree. I expect, therefore, that President Tinubu and Aregbesola must ultimately be reconciled.

‘’The Yoruba also believe that no matter the situation, it is always the younger one that must apologise. That means it is Aregbesola that must apologise, and he has begun the process with the recent interview he granted. It was the prodigal son that took the first and was not ashamed to apologise to the father. To me, he should continue on that path of seeking reconciliation by using a third party mediator.

‘’He must remember that there will always be people who will never want to see a reconciliation for their personal reasons. He must remember that a river must not forget its source. I’m saying this not because Tinubu has become a president but for spiritual reasons.

“I expect President Tinubu to accept his apologies.”