Aregbesola’s camp welcomes advice to beg Tinubu
The Omoluabi Progressives, a political group backed by ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola, has welcomed the suggestion that Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Monday, the Organising Secretary of the Omoluabi Progressives, Oluwaseun Abosede, said the camp would consider the advice given on Sunday by the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Wole Oke.
Abosede, who agreed with Oke that Aregbesola is a critical politician with vast influence in Osun politics, said already the opposition parties had officially written to the ex-governor to join them following his exit from the All Progressives Congress.
Agreeing with Oke, the Omoluabi Progressives chieftain said, “Mr Wole Oke, is, of course, a public official with a vast years of experience. He is an experienced man and we welcome his reaction.
“The PDP has officially written a letter to Aregbesola, that he should come and join them. The NNPP has written a letter officially to Aregbesola to come and join them. A lot of political parties and individuals, behind the curtain, have spoken to us to come and join them and we are not pushing anybody away.
“As he (Oke) has spoken now, we may look at what he has said. If it is in line with what we are saying, we will look at it. The stage we are in now, we are gathering the opinions and feelings of the people, including the media.
“No big deal (in apologising); he (Oke) just identified that we are someone just like numerous people have spoken to us behind the curtains.
He is welcome, we appreciate him and we will take his advice into consideration.”
Oke, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, had, in a social media post on Sunday, called on Aregbesola to toe the humble path and seek reconciliation with President Tinubu.
His comment comes amid political tension in Osun State, where Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Progressives 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.”
