Aregbesola vows to unseat Adeleke
Osun 2026: Aregbesola vows to unseat Adeleke, says ADC will win guber election
The interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that his party will defeat the incumbent Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, in the 2026 governorship election.
Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-governor of Osun State, made the declaration on Sunday during a homecoming solidarity event in Osogbo.
He stated that his immediate political focus is not the 2027 general elections but winning the 2026 Osun gubernatorial contest for the ADC.
He hinted that the 2026 race may no longer feature three major parties, following rumours of Governor Adeleke’s possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We are concerned about 2026 in Osun State. We have started the work for next year’s election now,” Aregbesola said, urging ADC supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation.
“Leave them to their agitation. Our aim should be to take over Osun State before the vote on August 8, 2026. They already know they are on their way out.”
Reflecting on his fallout with the APC, the party he helped build, Aregbesola lamented being pushed out despite his contributions.
He stated, “Those who know my value and worth gave me this new position, and now they are making noise. Their noise doesn’t concern me — they haven’t seen anything yet.”
Aregbesola also addressed speculations about Adeleke’s political move: “Before we started this journey, they said there would be three political parties in Osun State. It is obvious he is decamping now. We will meet in Abere — ADC will win the Osun governorship race in 2026.”
On national politics, Aregbesola criticised the current federal administration, blaming it for growing economic hardship.
“The government that makes Nigerians go hungry should not be in power again. Anyone who says Nigeria is better now is part of the problem. It’s clear that yesterday was better than today for us as a nation,” he said.
“Since they assumed office, even the rain no longer falls as it used to. Things are not going well. We must be angry with any government that refuses to address our needs.”
