An old social media post by former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola praising President Bola Tinubu’s leadership has resurfaced online following his recent description of the current administration as a “government of scammers.”
The 2017 tweet, now widely shared on X, showed Aregbesola crediting Tinubu for shaping his political career, saying: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and the opportunity to work with him to take Lagos forward was a huge factor in making me who I am today.”
The renewed attention came after Aregbesola, now national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised the Tinubu administration while addressing delegates at the party’s national convention.
Speaking at the event, he attacked the “Renewed Hope” agenda and urged Nigerians to stop the ruling party from retaining power in 2027.
“Four years ago, this government promised Nigerians renewed hope for a better future. Now, three years into its four-year term, it still holds promise and offers renewed hope. When exactly will this hope come into fruition? The answer is simple. It is a scam… We have the duty to stop scammers from retaining power,” he said.
The contrast between his earlier praise and current criticism has sparked debate on social media, with many users accusing him of inconsistency while others see it as proof of a political realignment.
Aregbesola was once a close ally of Tinubu, serving as commissioner for works and infrastructure in Lagos during Tinubu’s governorship and remaining influential in the state’s political structure afterward.
Their relationship later deteriorated over internal disputes in Osun State, particularly succession battles ahead of the 2022 governorship election and the subsequent loss of ex-governor Gboyega Oyetola to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Since 2025, Aregbesola has increasingly aligned with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as part of efforts to challenge the ruling party before the 2027 general election.
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