By John Umeh
Political tensions in Osun State have escalated sharply following a fiery outburst from Governor Ademola Adeleke, who has publicly accused former governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, of masterminding a plot to unseat the current administration.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke did not mince words as he launched a scathing attack on his predecessor, alleging that Aregbesola has been holding secret meetings with opposition elements, political godfathers, and disgruntled loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilize the state and pave the way for a “forceful political comeback.”
“Aregbesola Is Plotting to Undermine Osun’s Peace” – Adeleke
Governor Adeleke, visibly agitated, warned that any attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government would be met with stiff resistance from both the people of Osun and security agencies. He accused Aregbesola of working behind the scenes to ignite political chaos and create a false narrative of leadership failure to justify unconstitutional moves.
“Let me make it clear: Osun people voted me into office, and no cabal, no expired politician will remove me through the backdoor. Aregbesola’s hand is all over this desperate plot, and the people must know,” Adeleke declared.
He further alleged that a coordinated misinformation campaign, including the sponsoring of protests and the manipulation of traditional institutions, was being used to weaken public trust in his government. According to Adeleke, intelligence reports confirmed the existence of clandestine meetings in Lagos, Abuja, and Ilesa, involving top APC stalwarts aligned with Aregbesola’s faction.
Aregbesola Camp Denies Allegations
In a swift response, a spokesperson for Aregbesola’s camp, Wale Adedayo, denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless, paranoid, and politically motivated.” He insisted that the former governor has long moved on from active partisan politics and is currently focused on mentoring young leaders and supporting democratic stability across the country.
“Adeleke should focus on governance and stop chasing shadows. Our principal has no hand in any plot, real or imagined, to remove anyone from office. This is pure drama from a jittery administration,” Adedayo stated.
The statement further challenged Adeleke to provide credible evidence of the alleged plot rather than resorting to sensational press attacks.
Rising Political Tension in Osun
This war of words comes amid growing political unease in Osun State. Analysts believe the conflict between the two political heavyweights may reopen old wounds from the fiercely contested 2022 gubernatorial election, where Adeleke defeated then-Governor Gboyega Oyetola, a protégé of both Aregbesola and President Bola Tinubu.
Since then, Adeleke has faced resistance from certain quarters, especially within the opposition APC, with allegations of sabotage, parallel party structures, and deep-seated rivalries threatening to derail his administration’s agenda.
Security agencies in the state have been placed on high alert following the governor’s accusations, and there are concerns that the political feud could spill into the streets if not swiftly de-escalated.
Calls for Dialogue and Restraint
Meanwhile, civil society groups and religious leaders have called for calm and urged both camps to refrain from inflammatory statements that could lead to violence. The Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers is reportedly considering stepping in to mediate between the two political giants.
As the crisis unfolds, Osun residents watch with bated breath, hoping that the renewed power struggle does not plunge the state into another era of political instability.
