The exit of the former Osun State Governor and ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola from the All Progressives Congress (APC) is heating political circles in the state of the living spring.
In fact, his exit has resulted in a major shake-up in the APC, the leading opposition party in the state, as the former governor still commands a loyal following in the state with his Omoluabi Progressive group.
Noted for his deft political moves, Aregbegbesola is causing a big stir within the APC, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other opposition parties in the state many of which are scheming to welcome him and his supporters into their folds.
it is uncertain whether the former Governor and his supporters will form a new party or join an existing one apart from the APC. But the development will certainly impact on the 2026 Governorship election.
Last Sunday, the Omoluabi Progressives, a political group led by Aregbeola announced its decision to exit the APC, citing suspension, expulsion and other forms of persecution in the APC.
The group said in a statement signed by its Organising and Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, that its members across the 332 wards in the state decided to quit the APC during the group’s monthly meeting held in Ilesa.
It gave many reasons for the decision, including alleged ostracism, suspension, and expulsion of members without fair hearing, neglect and denigration of the group within the APC structure.
Besides, the statement said the perceived mass dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of internal crises, contributed to the APC’s poor performance in the last election cycle.
This, it noted has significantly weakened the party’s popularity and strength in the state.
According to the statement: “The members were put to a voice vote by the leadership of the group, where they unanimously affirmed their readiness to switch allegiance to another political platform ahead of the 2026 governorship election,”
Addressing the meeting, Aregbesola lauded members of the group for their commitment to the principles of integrity, character, and good governance.
He urged them to remain steadfast as they reposition the Omoluabi Progressives for the future.
On the group’s decision to leave the APC, Aregbesola said it marked the beginning of a new journey towards entrenching responsible leadership in Osun.
“I am indeed happy that all of you have spoken with one voice— a united front to lead the way to our collective victory in the journey ahead,” Aregbesola said.
He added, “Our mission is to raise the level of prosperity of our dear state through responsible leadership. The path we have chosen is smooth, highly reassuring, and full of good tides that will propel Osun to greatness. Therefore, you must show more commitment and attract genuine people who are ready to walk this path of righteousness with us.”
He assured the group that ongoing efforts to properly position the Omoluabi Progressives for future challenges would soon yield positive results.
“We are open to all, regardless of political, religious, or socio-cultural affiliations. We have the numbers, strength, and political acumen to provide leadership that will make Osun the envy of its peers. By the grace of God, we shall succeed,” Aregbesola added.
Responding, the APC in the state described the defection as “good riddance.”
It dismissed the Omoluabi Progressives as insignificant, calling them “agents” of PDP.
The Party’s spokesman Kola Olabisi alleged that Aregbesola’s supporters had already abandoned the APC in 2022 when they allegedly worked against Oyetola. He described their official exit as “good riddance to bad rubbish,” adding that the APC would not miss them.
Olabisi accused the defectors of being “a confused pack of rudderless politicians” who had already been suspended or expelled but were now announcing their departure as if they were still members. He insisted that their exit marked the beginning of their “political funeral” and that their efforts to destabilize the APC had failed.
On the other hand, the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has thrown its door open for Aregbesola and his supporter to come in.
Reportedly, there is a rumbling within both the PDP and the APC, the leading opposition party in the state over Aregbesola and his group’s exit from the APC, a move that has heightened tension within the parties.
The APC accused the ruling party of being responsible for the mass exit from it.
The PDP blamed the exit on the unresolved crises rocking the APC.
It urged the APC to take responsibility for its internal issues that caused a mass deflection of their members who are not comfortable with management of party ‘s affair in the state .
The PDP spokesperson Oladele Bamiji blamed the APC for failing to manage its crisis and cautioned against associating the ruling party with the APC’s internal struggles.
“We should not take the blame for APC’s failure to manage their party issues. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a significant figure in Osun politics, and the APC should have been able to resolve any issues with him,” Bamiji said.
“The PDP has nothing to do with their crisis. If Aregbesola and his group want to join us, they are mature enough to make that decision publicly.”
While dismissing the APC’s claims, Bamiji emphasized that the PDP remained open to welcoming Aregbesola and his followers should they decide to join forces with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. He described the APC’s declining numbers as an advantage for the PDP ahead of the 2026 election.
The crisis within the Osun APC worsened after the party’s defeat in the 2022 governorship election. The APC accused Aregbesola and his supporters of betraying its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola—now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy—by allegedly working for PDP candidate Ademola Adeleke. The APC leadership responded by expelling or suspending numerous members associated with Aregbesola.
During the Omoluabi cacuse Progressives meeting held in January this year ,members voiced dissatisfaction with the APC’s handling of internal disputes, blaming it for the party’s poor electoral performance and declining popularity.
The group subsequently resolved to align with another political platform ahead of the 2026 elections, though they have yet to announce their next move.
Oluomo Sunday Akere, former Commissioner of Information and Strategy and former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Oyetola said that the Aregbesola group has left the party long ago.
“Therefore their exit is good riddance to bad rubbish as we aren’t going to feel their exit. Rather the party will be better strengthened, focused and positioned for victory in 2026.”
He insisted that the Aregbesola group left the party before the 2022 Governorship election and worked for the PDP and adequately compensated with positions in the government.
“We are not going to miss them and their exit will not be felt. They have all along constituted distraction in the party and the open announcement of their exit will make those being deceived to realize they didn’t mean well.”
On his part Alhaji Abayomi Adegoke (Yomex), a PDP Stalwart from Iragbiji, said that Aregbesola’s decision was duly processed.
“I’m not an APC member, I’m a strong PDP member and stakeholder. But my observation with a kin interest as some one that follows any development in political Arena, made me to know that Aregbesola exited the party by himself and his choice, a decision which was not taken in hurry. It was taken by their Caucus.
“There’s no doubt that it will affect the APC in 2026 because the people that we know in ACN that fought for the emergence of Aregbesola in AC which transformed to ACN and now APC are still with him.
Also Hon. Jamiu Olawumi, former Special Adviser on Education to Oyetola said Aregbesola has not left a vacuum since he had ceased functioning as a party leader in 2021 when he abstained from activities.
He said Aregbesola became a destabilizing factor condemning government’s activities. He allegedly publicly encouraged the activities of the opposition and has been acknowledged by the PDP government of Governor Ademola Adeleke as being instrumental to his success at the poll.
“We see a relief coming to the party since his subterfuge will no longer hunt the party and his followers who have taken appointments in the PDP administration are now unmasked as unfaithful characters to the course of APC as political party.”
On his own, the Omoluabi Progressives spokesman Abosede Oluwaseun who spoke in an interview hinted that over 100,000 members had left the APC but insisted they would not be joining the PDP.
He stated that the group was in the final stages of deciding on a new political platform and would make an official announcement soon.
“The registered members of Omoluabi Progressives who have identified with us are around 100,000 across Osun’s 332 wards. These are people who have physically registered with us, excluding others in rural areas who couldn’t come out to register,” Oluwaseun stated.
“We are not joining the PDP, as some have speculated. We have our own values and vision for governance. In a few days, we will reveal our next political move.”
The group’s chairman, Azeez Adesiji, reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of true progressivism. He praised members for their dedication and promised leadership that would protect their interests.
“For us, reclaiming Osun is a collective task,” Adesiji said. “We want your continued commitment to our ideals so that together, we can restore Osun to good governance in 2026.”
Aregbesola’s political faction has struggled for control within the APC since the party’s 2022 electoral loss. After initially forming The Osun Progressives (TOP), they rebranded as Omoluabi Progressives with the goal of reforming the APC.
However, their efforts were met with resistance from the party’s mainstream, led by Oyetola, culminating in their eventual suspension and defection.
Sources suggest that Aregbesola’s group may announce their new political affiliation before the February 22 local government elections in Osun.
Whether Aregbesola remains relevant in the politics of Osun state will be clear soon . Nevertheless, his departure has continued to give both the APC and PDP sleepiness nights.
The Aregbesola factor helped the incumbent PDP Governor Ademola Adeleke to defeat APC’s Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola in the last Governorship Election.
