Aregbesola Sent Me To Hajj 10 Times To Pray For Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition— Cleric

Former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, played a significant role in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s long-standing ambition to become Nigeria’s president, a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Daud Tijani Igi-Ogun, has said.

Igi-Ogun, the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo, made the disclosure at the commissioning of a new building for his Arabic and Islamic Institute in Oyo town, which was named after Aregbesola.

The commissioning was part of activities marking the 29th anniversary of the institute.

The cleric, while recalling the longstanding relationship between Aregbesola and Tinubu, appealed to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, to support efforts by religious leaders seeking to reconcile the two political figures.

According to him, Aregbesola sponsored at least 10 of his Hajj trips specifically to pray for the actualisation of Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Igi-Ogun said, “Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has sent me to Hajj for 10 times to pray for our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to become Nigeria’s President.

“Whenever I asked him for the prayer request, he would say, ‘Just pray for my leader alone.’”

The cleric stressed that whatever political differences may have emerged between Aregbesola and Tinubu should not erase the contributions the former Osun governor made during the period leading to Tinubu’s emergence as President.

He urged Aregbesola to set aside any grievances and appealed to the Alaafin to assist in efforts aimed at bringing the two men together.

“Whatever political differences may exist today between Aregbesola and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu do not erase the historical role Aregbesola played during the journey toward Tinubu’s presidential ambition,” he said.

Igi-Ogun also argued that history should judge individuals based on their contributions and actions at particular moments, irrespective of subsequent political developments.

Speaking at the event, Aregbesola, who is the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged Nigerian youths to place a high premium on education, describing it as a critical foundation for personal development and success.

He called on parents to invest in the education of their children and encouraged them to provide a balanced education combining Western education with Arabic and Islamic studies.

According to him, education remains one of the most important tools for equipping young people with knowledge, developing their talents and preparing them for meaningful contributions to society.

Aregbesola also urged students and other beneficiaries of the institute to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the institution and apply themselves diligently to their studies.

Also speaking, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, underscored the importance of education to human capital development and the future of the younger generation.

Adeleke commended Sheikh Daud Igi-Ogun for his commitment to education and his investment in an institution promoting both Arabic/Islamic and Western education.

The governor said initiatives of such nature would complement government efforts in the education sector while expanding opportunities for young people to acquire relevant knowledge and skills.