The lawmaker representing the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Oluwole Oke, stated on Sunday that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu.

In a social media post, Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, emphasised that if he were in Aregbesola’s position, that is exactly what he would do.

The comment comes amid political tension in Osun State, where Omoluabi Progressives, a political group supported by Aregbesola, recently announced its departure from the All Progressives Congress in the state.

The decision followed prolonged and irreconcilable differences with the mainstream APC, which were fuelled by conflicts between Aregbesola and his successor, ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Multiple sources within the APC suggest that the rift that led Aregbesola to leave the party was partly due to a fallout with Tinubu over unspecified issues.

In his post shared on his official page, Oke, who confirmed the post to our correspondent, stated that if he were a member of the APC, he would have worked to ensure that Aregbesola and Oyetola reconciled their differences.

Oke also urged the PDP to seize the opportunity presented by the APC’s internal divisions, describing Aregbesola as a significant political figure in Osun State.

Oke wrote: “Egbon Rauf ‘Soji Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, is an enigma – a grassroots mobiliser, singer, and dancer. He is a major force and a BRIDE in Osun politics, whether we admit it or not.

“If I were in his shoes, I would go and beg, prostrate, and make peace with my principal, PBAT. Assuming I were a member of the APC in Osun, I would ensure that Asiwaju Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni Aregbesola reconcile. As we know, ‘Ija o dola’ – fighting doesn’t bring wealth.”

Oke advised the PDP to move quickly to gain from the political impasse within the APC.

He described Aregbesola as a “bride” in Osun politics, stating, “The PDP must act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and bring this ‘bride’ into their fold. Symbol, as he is popularly known, is not someone you let wander.”

Reflecting on Aregbesola’s time as governor, Oke continued: “Even though I wasn’t in Aregbesola’s party – AC, ACN, or APC – I still won my elections. The secret? The great people of Ijesa North. In the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes. In Ijesa North and Ijesa South, Ogbeni’s influence is undeniable.”

Oke stressed the importance of bringing Aregbesola into the PDP, adding, “Any politician who can invite 10 to 20 people to a meeting, feed them, and provide them with a token afterward should not be ignored.”

He concluded by stating, “Baba Kabiru is a factor in Osun politics. Please keep this post and get back to me after 2026.”

PUNCH

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ajibola Basiru, has assured that the governorship primary of the party in Osun State will be free and fair.

He hinted that the governorship candidate may emerge through a consensus arrangement of the party leadership which will be acceptable to members of the party.

Speaking in Osogbo, during the inauguration of coordinators of his group, Alubarika Movement, on Sunday, the APC scribe noted that APC is a party of leadership and all interest will be taken care of, when it is time.

He said the inauguration of the state coordinating council in local government and wards for the Alubarika Movement was to work towards ensuring that APC unite to take over power from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in 2026.

He said, “The primary election will be free and fair but I can assure you that the candidate may emerge from consensus arrangements by leadership of the party.”

On the allegation by the PDP that APC is dividing them, Basiru said, “Ambition of a few individuals is what is causing the rift within the opposition party and it is to the joy of us as a ruling party if they don’t get their house together. It is not our job to help them put their house in order.”

Asked whether the agitation within the APC will not divide the party, Basiru maintained that APC can not be divided, saying “Our party is a party of leadership and as I said, everybody that is a member of the party has legitimate desire to ensure that we have a candidate that will be able to deliver and defeat the PDP.

“In Ondo state for instance, there were 16 aspirants and we were able to get the right candidate that was able to deliver for the party. The same thing in Edo, we have more than 16 there and we resolved the matter. Everybody has the right to aspire to be leadership in the party,” Basiru said.

He said the PDP in Osun has failed in the area of education, health and empowerment, saying “Will it not suprise you that the budget of the governor’s house is far more than the budget of agriculture, education and health combined.

“It is a government that has no direction. Even the so called flyover they are doing, it’s being done without any project management sense and it shows lack of coordination, lack of leadership and lack of focus of the government.”

The state chairman of Alubarika Movement, Alhaji Kehinde Olagoke, said members of the APC in Osun are looking for how to get back to government house, and the only way out is to have the best and a good candidate on ground.

Daily Sun

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s opponents to abandon any thought of contesting for the presidency in 2027.

Igbokwe said Tinubu would secure a second term and reposition Nigeria for the better.

He recalled how Tinubu had supported former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Nuhu Ribadu, as well as former President Muhammadu Buhari, before emerging as president himself.

Posting on Facebook, the APC chieftain urged the opposition to research Tinubu’s background before contesting against him in 2027.

According to Igbokwe: “Those who are interested in winning the 2027 presidential election should know who PBAT is—his background, his time with Mobil Nigeria, his tenure as a senator, his eight years as governor of Lagos State, and his role as one of the key figures in the formation of the SDP, AD, AC, ACN, and APC.

“The role he played, the resources he contributed, the energy and goodwill he displayed, and the bridges he built across Nigeria. It took him more than 25 years to prepare for this exalted office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“He first supported Atiku Abubakar, Nuhu Ribadu, and PMB for the presidency, but only PMB succeeded. He threw his hat into the ring in 2021 and emerged victorious.

“He worked tirelessly, built strong alliances, and supported thousands, including me, across the East, West, North, and South. No Nigerian from any region can match PBAT in mentoring and elevating men and women across the country. His immense contributions to Nigeria speak for him every day, everywhere.

“Perish the thought if you are among those who believe he will fail or will not secure a second term. He will succeed, he will reposition Nigeria, he will advance the nation’s progress, he will grow the economy, he will fix Nigeria, he will retool and restructure it, he will elevate Nigeria, he will reform the system, and much more.

“If you want to challenge your opponents, conduct due diligence—study their backgrounds, ask questions, carry out a SWOT analysis, examine their antecedents, track records, and history.”