Osun 2026: Aregbesola and His Political Allies Exit APC
The Omoluabi Progressives, a faction loyal to former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, have made the decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to sources close to the group.
A statement issued by the group’s Organising and Publicity Secretary, Abosede Oluwaseun, revealed that the decision followed a consensus reached during a meeting of key stakeholders. The meeting, which took place in Ilesa on Sunday, ratified a resolution previously discussed by members from all 332 wards in Osun.
Among the reasons cited for their departure were allegations of marginalization, the suspension and expulsion of their leaders without due process, and the continued undermining of their structure within the party.
The statement highlighted the group’s dissatisfaction with how the Osun APC handled internal conflicts, which contributed to its poor performance in the most recent elections. This, they claimed, led to a decline in the party’s influence and popularity in the state.
A vote was held by the leadership of the group, and members overwhelmingly expressed their intent to shift allegiance to a different political group ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of Interior, praised the members for their unwavering commitment to the principles of integrity and good governance. He emphasized that it was now time to focus on strengthening the Omoluabi Progressives and their vision for a prosperous Osun.
Aregbesola reassured members that the hard work currently underway to position the group for success would soon bear fruit. He encouraged them to stay united and continue their efforts to promote responsible leadership in Osun.
He stated, “I am pleased that you all stand together as one. This unity is key to our future success. Our goal is to elevate Osun through dedicated leadership and sound governance. We are open to all, regardless of political, religious, or cultural backgrounds, and we have the strength and political savvy to lead Osun to greatness.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, expressed his gratitude to members for their continued dedication. He emphasized the importance of educating new members about the group’s core values of true progressivism.
Adesiji commended the group for the significant progress made over the past 17 months and assured members that the leadership would continue to safeguard their interests. He also highlighted the impressive turnout at meetings and the growing number of new members joining their cause.
“We are all in this together. Our mission to reclaim Osun for good governance is a collective effort, and we are committed to working with all who share our vision,” he stated.
The Omoluabi Progressives emerged after the dissolution of The Osun Progressives (TOP), a faction within the APC formed by Aregbesola before the 2022 gubernatorial election. Following the 2022 election, TOP was disbanded, and its leaders called for unity within the party. However, in 2024, the Osun APC expelled several top Aregbesola loyalists and suspended the former minister, prompting the formation of the Omoluabi Progressives, which is now seen as a potential third force in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
