An old social media post by Rauf Aregbesola praising President Bola Tinubu has resurfaced online, drawing renewed attention following his recent criticism of the current administration.
The 2017 post, which has recently gained traction on X, showed Aregbesola commending Tinubu’s leadership and acknowledging his influence on his political career. In the post, he described Tinubu’s leadership and the opportunity to work with him in Lagos as instrumental in shaping who he had become.
The resurfaced comment has since triggered reactions on social media, with users contrasting the earlier praise with Aregbesola’s recent remarks at the convention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he sharply criticised the government.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Aregbesola described the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda as deceptive and urged Nigerians to resist its continuation in office, questioning when the promised improvements would materialise.
Aregbesola, now serving as the national secretary of the ADC, was once a close ally of Tinubu. He held key positions during Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State, including commissioner for works and infrastructure, and remained influential in the state’s political structure for years.
However, their relationship later deteriorated due to political disagreements in Osun State, particularly over succession plans leading up to the 2022 governorship election. The rift deepened after former Governor Gboyega Oyetola lost the election to Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party.
In 2025, Aregbesola aligned with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as part of broader efforts to challenge the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.
