Former Osun State governor and ex Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has reacted to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Adeleke secured re election after defeating his major challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, in a closely watched contest that attracted significant attention across the state.
Reacting to the outcome, Aregbesola acknowledged the result and congratulated the governor on his victory. His response has attracted attention because of his long standing political influence in Osun and his history with the political structures that have shaped the state...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Aregbesola, who governed Osun between 2010 and 2018, remains an important figure in the state’s political landscape. His administration was associated with several major infrastructure and social development initiatives, while his political career has extended beyond the state to the federal level.
The former governor’s reaction to Adeleke’s victory comes amid a changing political environment in Osun, where political alliances and rivalries have continued to shape electoral contests.
Adeleke’s victory represents another major milestone in his political career. After winning the 2022 governorship election, his successful re election has given him another opportunity to lead the state and pursue the programmes of his administration.
The election also produced significant political implications for the APC, which had hoped to reclaim the governorship after losing the position to Adeleke in 2022.
Aregbesola’s comments are therefore significant as political stakeholders continue to assess the factors behind the election result and what it means for the future of Osun politics.
The former governor has previously been associated with political disagreements within the APC, particularly over issues surrounding party leadership and political succession. His response to the latest election outcome is consequently being closely watched by political observers.
For Adeleke, the immediate challenge following his victory will be to consolidate his administration, address the expectations of voters and demonstrate that his re election can translate into improved governance across the state.
The governor will also have to navigate the political divisions that characterised the election while working with stakeholders across different political interests.
As the dust settles on the 2026 election, Aregbesola’s reaction adds another layer to the political conversation surrounding Adeleke’s victory and the evolving relationship among key political actors in Osun State.
The result has now set the stage for another phase of governance under Adeleke, while opposition parties are expected to review their strategies and prepare for future political contests.
