By Erewunmi Peace

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has taken a swipe at former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, accusing him of turning against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the very man who elevated his political career.

In a sharp rebuke shared on social media and echoed across various platforms, Onanuga expressed disappointment that Aregbesola, who was once Tinubu’s close political ally, has now aligned himself with an opposition coalition that is believed to be plotting against the current administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The same Aregbesola that Asiwaju Tinubu made commissioner, governor, and minister is now ganging up against him,” Onanuga stated in a viral post.

The comment came in response to the emergence of a new political coalition, reportedly involving Aregbesola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other key political figures, under the umbrella of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The group has been accused of launching an anti-Tinubu movement.

Onanuga shared an article titled “Rauf Aregbesola’s Perfidy”—written by veteran journalist Mayor Akinpelu—highlighting what he described as Aregbesola’s betrayal and ingratitude toward Tinubu, who played a critical role in shaping his political journey.

“How can Aregbesola, of all people, be in a gang-up against Tinubu? This is politics without conscience,” Onanuga added.

The development has sparked widespread debate within Nigeria’s political landscape, with critics accusing the coalition of lacking a unifying ideology and simply being a reactionary attempt to reclaim power from Tinubu in 2027.

As the 2027 elections begin to cast a political shadow, tensions continue to rise among former allies-turned-rivals in Nigeria’s ruling elite.