Former Osun State Governor and immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media that he travelled to France to hold a secret meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The rumours, which gained traction online, suggested that Aregbesola and President Tinubu—once close allies whose relationship has been strained in recent years—recently reconciled during a private meeting in France. However, Aregbesola has dismissed the report as completely false and a deliberate act of misinformation.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his media adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, Aregbesola clarified that he has not left Nigeria and is currently in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

> “We want to state clearly and categorically that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is currently in Abuja. He has not travelled out of Nigeria, let alone visited France. The report is entirely fabricated, baseless, and should be disregarded by the general public,” the statement read.

Fasure further described the rumour as the handiwork of mischief-makers attempting to stir political controversy and manipulate public perception about the state of affairs between Aregbesola and President Tinubu.

> “There is no meeting, no trip, no France,” he added emphatically.

Since leaving office, Aregbesola has largely kept a low profile, staying away from political controversies and focusing on his personal endeavours. Nonetheless, his name continues to feature prominently in political discussions, especially in connection with the evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former minister’s team also issued a stern warning to those behind the false report, urging them to desist from using his name to stir unnecessary tension or gain cheap political mileage within the ruling party.