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Aregbesola’s Political Choices Are His Right; See Reasons we Need To Respect It

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 5th, 2025.

Aregbesola’s Political Choices Are His Right; See Reasons we Need To Respect It

Calls for Yoruba unity or loyalty in the context of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s emergence as the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are misplaced and misleading. The arguments being made in some quarters, especially those questioning his loyalty, ignore a long history of betrayal and exclusion he faced within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Let’s set the record straight: Aregbesola didn’t betray anyone. Rather, he was the one betrayed. Much like Julius Caesar, he was let down by those he trusted, supported, and helped to gain power. Attempting to paint him as disloyal is a distortion of the real story.

In a democratic system, rivalry among political parties is natural and healthy. No one accuses a politician of sabotage for switching platforms or competing against former allies. President Tinubu himself rose to power by building coalitions to unseat the then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. That’s democracy — candidates campaign, people vote, and the most preferred wins.

If the current government performs well, it will be rewarded with continued support. If it doesn’t, the electorate will make a different choice. Aregbesola or any other politician doesn’t control that — the people do.

Moreover, the political bond between Aregbesola and Tinubu ended years ago. Their relationship began to unravel when Gboyega Oyetola became governor of Osun State. Since then, Aregbesola has faced multiple forms of exclusion and hostility from the APC:

He was suspended from the party multiple times.

He was barred from entering Osun.

His campaign office was attacked.

His name was deliberately left out of major campaign councils.

His loyalists were harassed, arrested, and pushed out of the party.

He was removed from the Lagos GAC, and politically replaced in Alimosho.

Where were those calling for loyalty when all this was happening?

For six years, Aregbesola waited for reconciliation that never came. Now that he’s found a new political home in the ADC, people are suddenly invoking his past affiliations. That’s unfair and hypocritical.

Let’s be clear: the political paths of Aregbesola and Tinubu have diverged. They are no longer allies, and we must stop pretending they are. Aregbesola has every right to pursue his ambitions where he feels respected and valued.

As with any separation — political or personal — the next steps are no longer anyone else’s concern. Aregbesola has chosen to move forward. Rather than hold him back with nostalgia or guilt, we should allow him the freedom to follow his path.

His political journey is far from over, and it deserves respect, not resentment.