Rauf Aregbesola, the former Minister of Interior and Governor of Osun State, met with a guy who allegedly attempted to murder him in 2006. He stated that the encounter was held after the man identified as Sikiru Olaboye requested forgiveness from him.
Aregbesola revealed this in a Facebook post on Sunday, claiming that the man came to him after contacting a local radio station in Osogbo, Osun State’s capital, to request his pardon.
“Earlier today, I received Sikiru Olaboye, one of the men who attempted to assassinate me during the 2006 Oroki Day Celebration in Osogbo,” he wrote.
He stated, he told Olaboye that he had no ill will against him or anyone else engaged in the incident.
“Today, while praying for him, I told him that I have no animosity against him or anybody else involved. I didn’t harbor bitterness or seek vengeance after God spared me from that attack,” he said.
The former governor, who referred to God as the ultimate forgiver, pleaded for heavenly mercy for both himself and his attacker.
“Only God has the power to forgive all of our shortcomings. As His servants, I beg that He will pardon both him and me, Aamen!” he ended.
The 2006 Oroki Day celebration in Osogbo was marked by violence, with Aregbesola, the Action Congress’ governorship candidate at the time, narrowly avoiding an alleged murder attempt.