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Osun Governor Fires Back at Aregbesola Over 2026 Threat; Aregbesola Left Osun in a Mess

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 14th, 2025.

Osun Governor Fires Back at Aregbesola Over 2026 Threat; Aregbesola Left Osun in a Mess

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has fired back at former Governor Rauf Aregbesola following the latter’s threats to unseat him in 2026. In a strongly worded statement released in Osogbo by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke described Aregbesola’s comments as desperate and delusional, pointing out that Osun is still reeling from the damaging effects of his administration.

Governor Adeleke criticized the former governor for what he called “a disastrous tenure,” accusing him of leaving behind a legacy of massive debts, unpaid salaries, dubious tablet projects, and numerous incomplete or inflated contracts. He referred to Aregbesola’s time in office as the most damaging in the state’s history.

According to Adeleke, “It’s alarming that someone responsible for such immense hardship in Osun still has the audacity to talk about a political comeback. Instead of expressing remorse, Mr. Aregbesola is engaging in hollow threats while we continue to clean up the wreckage he left behind.”

The Governor noted that the previous administration’s treatment of public servants was especially egregious. “Aregbesola’s regime introduced half salaries, misused pension contributions, and neglected workers’ welfare. It’s this administration that has paid 28 months’ worth of the outstanding half salaries and nearly ₦60 billion in pension arrears,” he stated.

Highlighting his achievements since taking office, Governor Adeleke emphasized that his administration has not borrowed a single naira for infrastructure projects yet has still managed to reduce the state’s debt burden by 40%, as confirmed by the Debt Management Office.

“Under my leadership, we’ve constructed nearly 200 kilometers of roads, revamped more than 200 schools and health facilities, provided free health insurance to over 30,000 pensioners, and facilitated critical surgeries for more than 60,000 residents. We’ve also completed projects abandoned by Aregbesola at Osun State University and realized the establishment of the University of Ilesa.”

The statement challenged Aregbesola to match these achievements, citing failed projects like the Ilesa road dualization that he never completed. “Let him come and see the ongoing flyover projects in Ile Ife and Osogbo, and road dualization in Iwo — things his administration only promised but never delivered.”

The governor’s office dismissed Aregbesola’s recent political rhetoric as out of touch with the current reality in Osun. “Our people remember the hardship of the past. They’ve seen the contrast and won’t be swayed by the empty noise of a failed former governor. The darkest days for Osun were during Aregbesola’s leadership — a time marked by avoidable suffering and mismanagement.”

In a sharp closing, the statement mocked Aregbesola’s return to politics, suggesting that he remains unaware of how poorly his tenure is remembered. “Come 2026, Osun people will respond. Those who caused them years of pain will face the consequences at the ballot box.”

Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed

Spokesperson to the Governor of Osun State