Former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has responded to Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, who recently described Aregbesola’s eight-year administration as the worst in the state’s history.
In what appeared to be a swift rebuttal, Aregbesola described Adeleke’s comment as unfortunate and an attempt to curry favour with the presidency.
Speaking through his media aide, Ileowo Kikiowo, Aregbesola stated that constant attacks on others do not improve citizens’ welfare but rather expose desperation.
“Our intention is not to trade insults or respond to every provocation. What we stand for is clear – a people-friendly government and people-centred politics that prioritises the needs and aspirations of Osun citizens.
“The essence of leadership is making tough decisions to protect the welfare of the majority. That is exactly what Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola did as Governor.
“The results speak for themselves. Under his leadership, Osun recorded the lowest unemployment, poverty, and crime rates in Nigeria, as confirmed by independent institutions like the NBS and UNDP.
“This impact was achieved through bold initiatives: investing in over 1,200 km of roads, including 600 km of rural roads; constructing 3,685 new classrooms; supporting over 27,000 MSMEs; and empowering 60,000 youths under the OYES programme.
“Over 700,000 people were lifted out of poverty, and 1.59 million jobs were created through our MSME drive. During tough times, instead of mass retrenchment, we protected jobs. Lower-level staff received full salaries while senior officers made temporary sacrifices. That is leadership. That is Ogbeni’s legacy. What is theirs? Attacks that do not improve lives but reveal desperation.”
Another media aide to Aregbesola, Mr Sola Fasure, also criticised Governor Adeleke for his remarks, describing them as “a new low” and alleging they were aimed at gaining acceptance within the All Progressives Congress (APC), which Adeleke is reportedly planning to join.
Although Adeleke has denied any intention to defect to the APC ahead of the 2026 governorship election, Fasure, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, dismissed Adeleke’s comments and stated that he is not wanted in the APC.
“A new low: Attacking Aregbesola in order to be accepted by APC. I am not sure they still want you!” Fasure wrote.
Earlier, Tribune Online reported that the relationship between Governor Adeleke and former Minister Aregbesola appears to have deteriorated. The governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, had criticised Aregbesola’s administration, accusing it of inflicting ‘inhumane maladministration’ on the state and leaving behind challenges Osun is still grappling with.
