2023: FRIENDS, OTHERS MOVE TO RECONCILE AREGBESOLA, TINUBU-REPORT

Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are set to reconcile in the coming days after being at loggerheads for the last couple of years.

The both politicians have agreed to sheathe their swords and work together ahead of the sun state governorship election and the 2023 presidential poll.

Tinubu has expressed his interest in vying for the highest office in the land, but first, he he has to secure the ticket of the APC.

The reunion of the one-time "political brothers" is expected to be witnessed by south-west traditional rulers and prominent members of the Muslim community.

"A reconciliation has been fixed. There are two layers to it one is with traditional rulers and another one is with the Muslim communities," a reliable source informed.

The reconciliation meeting is scheduled to take place between Tuesday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 2. Several stakeholders in south-west politics are expected to be in attendance at the meeting.

Another insider informed us that the trace was arranged by stakeholders "to ensure justice and fairness for all, in the overall interest of the Yoruba and the APC."

The reconciliation is basically towards ensuring that the APC is victorious in Osun and for the greater goal of Yoruba land," the source added. "They are both open to it and are looking forward to it.

ORIGIN OF THE RIFT

The cracks in Aregbesola and Tinubu's relationship became noticeable in May 2020, when Aregbesola revamped the Mandate Group - a core of Tinubu's loyalists and usurped the - closely knitted caucus for individuals he could trust.

The former Osun governor sanctioned the relaunch without Tinubu's approval, naming Abdullahi Enilolobo, his protege from Alimosho LGA, as the new leader, while he remained the grand patron of the group.

A subsequent communique signed by 27 party chieftains, who are members of the Governor's Advisory Council (GAC), had disbanded and prohibited all factions like Justice Group and Mandate Group.