The lawmaker representing the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Oluwole Oke, has advised former Governor Rauf Aregbesola to reconcile with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu, following political divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remarks on Sunday in a social media post, suggesting that Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” if he were in Aregbesola’s position.
The comments come in the wake of heightened political tensions in Osun State, triggered by the decision of Omoluabi Progressives, a political group associated with Aregbesola, to sever ties with the APC. The group’s departure follows ongoing and unresolved disputes between Aregbesola and his successor, former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Reports from multiple sources within the APC indicate that Aregbesola’s fallout with the party is partly linked to an estrangement with President Tinubu over undisclosed issues. In his post, Oke emphasized that, had he been a member of the APC, he would have worked toward reconciliation between Aregbesola and Oyetola, underlining that “fighting doesn’t bring wealth.”
Oke also urged the PDP to capitalize on the APC’s internal divisions, describing Aregbesola as a significant political figure in Osun. He noted that Aregbesola’s influence, particularly in the Ijesa North and Ijesa South areas, remains substantial. Oke further described Aregbesola as a key player in Osun politics, stating, “Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes.”
Reflecting on Aregbesola’s tenure as governor, Oke highlighted the former governor’s ability to mobilize grassroots support, even in areas where Oke himself had been successful in elections despite not being a member of Aregbesola’s former party.
Oke concluded his post by emphasizing the importance of Aregbesola’s political clout, urging the PDP to act swiftly to bring him into their fold. “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,” Oke stated. He added, “Baba Kabiru is a factor in Osun politics. Please keep this post and get back to me after 2026.”
Oke’s remarks further underscore the growing political schism within the APC in Osun, with Aregbesola’s supporters now eyeing opportunities for alliances with other parties, including the PDP.
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