CONTRARY to insinuations, National Leader of the, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday, dismissed a perceived frosty relationship between them. This came on a day the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, dissolved the Mandate Group, the Justice Forum and all other political groups within the in Lagos State.
It was reported that Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, is eyeing the Presidency in 2023, which has led to a cold war between him and Tinubu, who is also believed to be interested in the plum job. It was, however, gathered that an uneasy relationship between Aregbesola and Governor Gboyega Oyebola of Osun State, exists. Aregbesola has, however, denied nursing any presidential ambition.
The leaders of the Mandate Group, headed by Aregbesola, had resolved to re-organise and restructure the group ahead of the 2023 elections and other permutations that would go with the polls It was that resolve and the need to get a young and vibrant politician and activist to lead the group that led to the choice of Enilolobo.
Sources said leaders of the group decided to inject young and energetic members into the leadership structure of the group by recognising the fact that there are more challenges ahead. Thus, a strategic meeting of the group was held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at the Ikeja, GRA residence of the Interior Minister in Lagos.
Those present included the lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Sikiru Osinowo; his counterpart from the Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Chief of Staff to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, and Cardinal James Odunmbaku, among others. It was unanimously decided that the mantle of leadership of the group in the state should rest with Enilolobo. That was how the state Organising Secretary of the APC, Enilolobo, became the new Chairman of the Mandate group in the state. Enilolobo took over from Alhaji Ganiyu Badmos, who had been Chairman for four years. It was also gathered at the meeting that the leaders decided that Aregbesola should remain the Grand Patron of the group, while Cardinal James Odunmbaku should be the Apex Leader.
