Chieftains and members of the All Progressives Congress, are lamenting the exit of Osun State’s former Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from the party.
The former Interior minister is now the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, a national coalition of notable politicians led by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, working to dislodge the ruling APC at the national level, led by President Bola Timubu, from power.
Confirming the regret, Chairman of the Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, said in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, that many APC loyalists have been left in emotional distress following the Aregbesola’s exit from the party.
He spoke during a radio interview monitored in Osogbo on Monday, describing the growing wave of regret among APC members, particularly in Ilesa and other parts of Osun State, over what they now perceive as an irreparable political loss.
In Adesiji’s words,“I witnessed it firsthand in my local government area. People are heartbroken. Some were literally crying, with their hands on their heads, asking why the party allowed Aregbesola to leave.
“An elderly man came to me in tears. I had to remind him that Aregbesola didn’t leave by choice. He was pushed out. He couldn’t continue forcing himself into a party that clearly no longer welcomed him.”
He emphasized that the Omoluabi Progressives did not suddenly emerge, but rather evolved over time from years of political neglect and suppression of internal democracy within the APC.
He said, “This movement wasn’t born overnight. It came from years of struggling to uphold values and restore dignity in our political space.
“Today, many of those who once stood against us are filled with regret. They now wish they had not allowed those who believed in our cause to walk away”.
On the current state of the APC in Osun, Adesiji noted that the party is now facing the consequences of sidelining one of its strongest pillars.
He cited developments in Burkina Faso to buttress his point on leadership legitimacy through performance.
“Leadership isn’t just about elections; it’s about delivery. In Burkina Faso, even though a military officer took over, people believe in him because of his performance. That’s what earns legitimacy.”
Meanwhile, Aregbesola, in separate remarks to his supporters in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged them to engage in politics with civility and truth.
“Do not insult anyone. Challenge them with facts. Our mission is not to destroy, but to rebuild — with integrity, with evidence, and with vision,” Aregbesola was quoted as saying.
The Omoluabi Progressives have continued to grow in strength and visibility across Osun State, particularly ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Their message of reform and inclusive leadership is resonating among former APC loyalists, especially those who feel alienated by the current structure of the party.
