It is no longer a secret that Bola Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid has already begun to generate mixed reactions from the public. Since the former Governor of Lagos state declared his intentions to run for President in 2023, Nigerians have become divided over the development.
To many people, Tinubu is the right man, and most qualified for the job. While to many others, the former Governor is not the ideal candidate that the country needs at this point in time. Notable among those who have kicked against his 2023 presidential bid, is his former political ally, and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
The minister, who is also a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and a former Governor of Osun state, has in recent times, been at loggerheads with Tinubu. Not long ago, we read reports on some statements made by the minister, disclosing his disapproval of Bola Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid.
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There is no doubt that Bola Tinubu is regarded as the most influential politician in the Southwest region of Nigeria. However, his 2023 presidential bid could suffer a setback due to the feud with Aregbesola. This is due to the fact that political influence works like a web of networks, where each member of the team has a role to play.
With the ongoing feud between the two former Governors and political allies, it can be argued that Bola Tinubu would lose the support of Aregbesola’s loyalists. This development is a loss to his 2023 presidential bid. Aside from this, the Minister could equally use his position and influence, to work against Tinubu’s emergence as the APC flag-bearer for the 2023 presidential election.
In consideration of this, and the fact that there are several other political opponents of the former Governor of Lagos, who could take advantage of the feud to penetrate the Southwest region, one may not be totally wrong to conclude that Tinubu’s fallout with Aregbesola could see his bid to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, suffer a setback.