Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has fired back at his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, branding his eight-year administration as the “worst era in the history of Osun State.”
This sharp rebuke follows Aregbesola’s recent comments during a gathering of African Democratic Congress (ADC) supporters in Osogbo, where he vowed the party would unseat Adeleke in 2026.
In a statement released Monday by his spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke dismissed the former governor’s remarks as “empty boasts from a troubled mind,” accusing Aregbesola of misgovernance, debt accumulation, and massive neglect of workers’ welfare during his time in office.
“Mr. Aregbesola has no moral ground to speak,” the statement read.
“His tenure was defined by hardship, financial recklessness, and institutional decay. He is haunted by the suffering he inflicted on Osun people.”
Adeleke Lists Damages Inherited from Aregbesola
Governor Adeleke did not hold back in recounting the challenges inherited from Aregbesola’s administration:
- Half salaries for civil servants
2. Unpaid pension arrears
3. Withheld cooperative deductions
4. Diversion of contributory pension funds
5. Accumulation of debt, which Adeleke claims still burdens the state’s economy
According to the Governor, his administration has since paid off 28 months of half-salaries and cleared nearly ₦60 billion in pension debt, part of what he called “cleaning up the mess left behind.”
“A man who should be begging for forgiveness dares to attack a governor focused on restoration and justice,” he said.
“2026 Will Be Payback Time” – Adeleke Warns
Dismissing Aregbesola’s political comeback strategy, Adeleke warned that the people of Osun will not forget the hardship of the past.
“No voter in Osun is ready for a return to the evil days,” he declared.
“2026 will be payback time. The people will reject the dark days Aregbesola represents.”
The Governor also took a personal swipe at Aregbesola, describing him as “a shrew who doesn’t realize he’s smelling,” in one of the most stinging jabs of their political rivalry yet.
Political Tensions Heat Up Ahead of 2026
The clash between Adeleke and Aregbesola may signal the beginning of a fierce political contest ahead of the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election. While Aregbesola is yet to officially declare his next move, his alignment with the ADC has raised speculation about his intentions.
For now, Adeleke appears determined to anchor his re-election bid on reversing what he calls the failures of the past, while keeping political opponents at bay.
