Rauf Aregbesola, the interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has said that his party will unseat Governor Ademola Adeleke in the upcoming 2026 Osun governorship election.
Aregbesola, who previously held the positions of Minister of Interior and Osun State Governor, made this statement on Sunday during a homecoming event held in Osogbo.
He emphasized that his main political objective at the moment is not the 2027 general election but securing victory for ADC in the 2026 Osun governorship election.
He suggested that the 2026 election might not feature the usual three-party race, as there are speculations that Governor Adeleke could defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
We are concerned about 2026 in Osun State. We have started the work for next year’s election now, Aregbesola said, encouraging party members to strengthen mobilisation at the grassroots level.
Leave them to their agitation. Our aim should be to take over Osun State before the vote on August 8, 2026. They already know they are on their way out.
Looking back on his break with the APC, a party he helped build, Aregbesola expressed regret that he was sidelined despite his efforts.
He stated, Those who know my value and worth gave me this new position, and now they are making noise. Their noise doesn’t concern me — they haven’t seen anything yet.
Aregbesola also spoke on the ongoing rumours surrounding Adeleke’s possible political defection: Before we started this journey, they said there would be three political parties in Osun State. It is obvious he is decamping now. We will meet in Abere — ADC will win the Osun governorship race in 2026.
Turning to national matters, Aregbesola criticised the current federal government, blaming it for worsening the economic situation in the country.
The government that makes Nigerians go hungry should not be in power again. Anyone who says Nigeria is better now is part of the problem. It’s clear that yesterday was better than today for us as a nation, he said. Since they assumed office, even the rain no longer falls as it used to. Things are not going well. We must be angry with any government that refuses to address our needs.