Osogbo, July 15, 2025 — Tensions have escalated in Osun State’s political scene following a heated exchange between Governor Ademola Adeleke and former governor Rauf Aregbesola, now the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The clash follows Aregbesola’s declaration over the weekend in Osogbo that the ADC is poised to dislodge the ruling parties and win the 2026 Osun governorship election, alongside securing national victory in 2027. Addressing ADC members and supporters, Aregbesola described the party as the only credible alternative capable of rescuing Nigerians from the hardship brought about by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
He said his visit to the state was part of strategic mobilisation to take over power, declaring: “We have arrived and none of the two political parties can beat ADC in Osun State. The PDP and APC now believe we are the credible alternative.”
In support, ADC state chairman, Dr. Charles Omidiji, urged party loyalists to remain united and open the doors to new members, expressing confidence that the party’s momentum would soon translate into electoral victory.
But Governor Adeleke swiftly fired back, describing Aregbesola’s comments as “empty boast” and calling his eight-year tenure “the worst in Osun State’s history.”
In a strongly worded statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke accused the former governor of inflicting untold hardship on the people of Osun through reckless governance, unpaid pensions, heavy debts, and the controversial policy of paying workers “half salaries.”
“Aregbesola’s wickedness against workers, public servants, and Osun people knows no bounds while he wielded state power,” the statement read. “A man who introduced half salary, misapplied the contributory state pension fund, and misused state cooperative deductions fund should be ashamed of attacking a governor who is now paying off the burdens he created.”
Adeleke claimed his administration has already reduced the state’s debt burden by 40% without borrowing, citing confirmation from the Debt Management Office (DMO). He also touted infrastructure delivery and the payment of outstanding liabilities as major achievements that outshine Aregbesola’s eight years in office.
“Within less than three years, Adeleke has surpassed the governance delivery of Aregbesola’s entire tenure,” the statement asserted.
The governor further warned Osun citizens against what he called a return to “the dark days,” alleging that the former governor’s leadership disrupted thousands of lives and caused the deaths of pensioners due to financial neglect.
With the 2026 Osun governorship race on the horizon, the war of words between Adeleke’s camp and Aregbesola-backed ADC signals an early showdown in what could become a fierce political contest.
