By BitsofNaija
On Wednesday, 7th 2023, media was awashed with headline “Aregbesola Begged for Forgiveness, Blame the Devil”.
According to various reports, Ex-Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has blamed the devil for the misunderstanding between himself and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola during the latter’s administration.
Aregbesola who spoke in Yoruba language during a welcome rally organised by his loyalists to welcome him back to the state at Freedom Park, Osogbo, said the devil successfully allowed animosity to thrive between them after the Supreme Court victory party in July 2019.
According to report, he however asked for forgiveness from everyone who felt slighted by events of the last four, saying he was in the state to seek reconciliation and development of the progressive tendency in the state.
As with many such national news, the media appears to missed the message while the general public get carried away by the headline.
Did he really blame the devil?
Here is his exact words:
“In July 2019 after the Supreme Court victory, we were together in this venue where we call on ourselves to be united. I said on that day that I’d concluded my tenure and handed over to the person I preferred but warned that it was left for my successor to be a good person and that I will be the godfather.
“But my statement was misconstrued and the devil took over leading to the rift that lasted four years. I did not request anything from my successor talkless of being denied such a thing but some people just feel envious of our presence. Despite all of these, I seek forgiveness from those who felt offended by some of our actions.
“After this, I will not beg anybody again. We didn’t offend anyone and we don’t believe anyone offended us but it’s possible that they believe we offended them, that’s why we are seeking forgiveness”, he said.
According to him, politics in this part of the world is about acrimony but today, I am not here for that. We are here to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. My successes as governor were a collective achievement, including those who turned themselves into our enemies today.
The Devil in Aregbesola’s statement does not connote universal devil as assumed by the media. Moreover, his apology was watery. and appear to be more of an arrogant declaration.
In is own word, We didn’t offend anyone and we don’t believe anyone offended us but it’s possible that they believe we offended them, that’s why we are seeking forgiveness.
Which implies anyone who feel offended should be sorry even as he believed he offended no one.
Aregbesola action is more of defiance and arrogance than genuine reconciliation effort. Time will tell if he will change his disposition.
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