Ahead of the political realignment for the next general elections, strong indications have emerged that the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has initiated moves to form a strategic electoral alliance with his predecessor and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of ADC
Credible sources within the political circles of the state revealed to OBSERVERS TIMES that emissaries from the governor’s camp have reached out to the former governor to discuss terms for a collaborative political partnership.
While details of the high-level contacts and meetings remain closely guarded secrets, insiders suggest that the move is aimed at consolidating Governor Adeleke’s hold on the state and neutralizing any potential threat from the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in future elections.
Political analysts in the state view this development as a continuation of the silent partnership that reportedly played out during the July 16, 2022 governorship election.
It would be recalled that a bitter feud between Aregbesola and his successor, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, fractured the Osun State chapter of the APC. The division led to the creation of “The Osun Progressives” (TOP), a faction loyal to Aregbesola, which has now rebranded as the “Omoluabi Progressives.”
During the 2022 polls, Aregbesola’s faction reportedly withheld support for Oyetola, a factor many pundits believe paved the way for Adeleke’s victory. By formalizing this relationship, Governor Adeleke’s camp allegedly hopes to secure a formidable coalition that could make the PDP invincible in the state.
A source close to the government house in Osogbo, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, confirmed that preliminary discussions have indeed commenced.
“It is true that there are feelers being sent to Ogbeni’s (Aregbesola) camp. Politics is a game of numbers and alignment. The governor is performing, but he also knows that securing a second term requires broad-based political coalitions. Aregbesola still commands a massive, loyal grassroots following in Osun that cannot be ignored,” the source said.
However, the source declined to disclose the venue of the meetings or the specific conditions laid down by either party. “For now, everything is under wraps. We are still in the early stages of consultation,” he added.
### Reactions from Both Camps
Efforts to get official confirmations from both political camps yielded no positive results at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, did not confirm or deny the report. He, however, maintained that Governor Adeleke is a “peace-loving leader who is open to working with all stakeholders who have the interest of Osun State at heart.”
Similarly, media aides to the former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, remained tight-lipped. A close associate of the former minister, who spoke off the record, stated that Aregbesola remains a progressive leader but is open to consultations that would foster peace and development in the state.
Meanwhile, the development is already causing ripples within the Osun State APC. A chieftain of the party, who spoke to our reporter, warned that any formal alliance between Adeleke and Aregbesola would be viewed as “anti-party activity” by the national leadership of the APC.
“We are watching the developments. If former Governor Aregbesola decides to work openly with the PDP, he will be defining his political future. The APC in Osun is reconciling and rebuilding, and we are confident of reclaiming the state without those who choose to betray the party,” the APC chieftain said.
As the political atmosphere in Osun State begins to heat up ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election, the outcome of the alleged talks between Adeleke and Aregbesola will undoubtedly shape the future of the state’s political landscape.
