Former Lagos state governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has denied reports of a “Cold War” between him and former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
Tinubu said this in a statement on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, adding that there is no war, neither hot nor cold between the duo.
Tinubu was reiterating the stance in a communique signed by 27 party chieftains in Lagos who are members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) which effectively dissolved all factions within the APC.
According to TheCable, “There are insinuations that Aregbesola is interested in running for president in 2023 — an ambition that may pit him against Tinubu, who is also believed to be warming up.
“Aregbesola has, however, denied nursing any presidential ambition.” the website said.
Tinubu in his statement described Aregbesola as a member of his political family, denying any rift between the two, while insisting that he remains the minister’s leader.
He noted that the dissolution of all factions within the party was aimed at promoting discipline, harmony and cohesion as well as to engender party supremacy.
“Our political family remains strong. And we are staying focused in our commitment to building and maintaining a cohesive political party.
“The GAC is a very strong body within the APC leadership structure in Lagos. Its resolution is not targeted at any particular individual or collection of individuals.
“The resolution was to restate the often-stated position that the only group known to us is APC and not any of the factional groups. It was to renew the commitment to APC and its unity.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola is a strong member of the political family. The GAC position does not imply any division within the group. The resolution is well-meaning and should not be misinterpreted.” the statement read in part.
NewsWireNGR recalls that the minister who served as Tinubu’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure before becoming governor, had once described Tinubu as his “hero” who was responsible for what he had become and accomplished.
