‘He’s Gathering Wounded Lions’ — Atiku’s Visit To Aregbesola Sparks Reactions

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s visit to Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior and former governor of Osun State, on Friday sparked a political discourse on social media.

Atiku shared a video of his visit to Aregbesola on his X (formerly Twitter) account, saying “Breakfast time at the residence of former Governor of Osun State, Engr Rauf Aregbesola.”

However, the visit has been met with skepticism from Nigerians who reacted to the video.

Aregbesola, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had fallen out with President Bola Tinubu in the buildup to the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election.

Aregbesola’s once-solid friendship with Tinubu deteriorated after he publicly accused the president of planning “evil for us (Osun people) by allegedly handpicking a candidate who wouldn’t continue his legacies to succeed him (Aregbesola) as Osun governor in 2018.

Aregbesola had called for the same treatment Tinubu and his group allegedly meted out to former Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to be given to Oyetola. Oyetola eventually lost his re-elected bid.

Meanwhile, many have viewed Friday’s meeting between Atiku and Aregbesola through the lens of opposition coalition-building.

One user, @ogidiolumuyi007 described the visit as Atiku “gathering all the wounded lions”.

@_MrFeliks warned that “gathering the wounded lions can’t work this time around,” noting that this was the same strategy employed by Tinubu in 2015 with Atiku being part of that coalition.

The X user suggested that “the master of the strategy knows better now” and advised the former VP to “go back and beg Jonathan” for his role in the former president’s defeat in the 2015 poll.

Some critics also questioned Atiku’s political judgment.

@tunisky wrote, “Atiku, why can’t you differentiate between political friends and foes. You are not politically tactical. It is the reason you keep losing elections.”

@Layor_Oye, said “They are all deceiving you sir. 70% of these guys are in Tinubu’s pocket. Save us all this wahala by supporting PO.”

@Mautiin01 tweeted, “He sure me say baba kabiru (Aregbesola) go gbabode for una at the last minute sha

@mr___topson said, “Baba kabiru and his people gaslighting Alhaji.”

@SBolarinwa said, “Congratulations as you embark on this fruitless journey that leads to nowhere, another political dirge will be sung for you in 2027, hopefully by then you will be too old and weary to give 2031 a try again”

Another user, @flourish007, opined that “The only viable path to unseating BAT’s government in 2027 is through a united front. Just as the APC once rallied nearly 17 parties to oust the PDP, a similar coalition is needed now—but it will only succeed if self-interest is set aside. Atiku doesn’t need to be the flagbearer this time around.

@FactsOnKruize said, “The truth before Nigerians is simple. Atiku X Obi would kick Tinubu away. Tinubu is aware of this and would do anything to ensure this does not work. This Coalition is taking shape. Atiku knows the Politics and Peter Obi has the Fame. Nigerians should sheath their swords and clamor for an Atiku X Obi ticket in 2027 if they ever want to be liberated from Tinubu.