Supporters of former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, have fired back at critics questioning his emergence as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing such criticism as misguided and fraudulent.
In a detailed rebuttal widely circulated on Friday, Aregbesola’s allies dismissed the “Yoruba Ronu” narrative that accuses him of disloyalty to President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had repeatedly betrayed and humiliated the former Minister of Interior long before his defection.
“Aregbesola didn’t stab anyone. He was the one betrayed—stabbed politically by those he trusted, worked for, and handed over power to,” the statement said. “Trying to paint him as disloyal is like blaming Julius Caesar for being stabbed.”
The group also emphasized that political opposition and contest are legitimate democratic processes, not acts of sabotage.
“In a democracy, there is no such thing as working for someone’s downfall. There is political competition, and the people decide who wins,” they added, noting that Tinubu himself defeated an incumbent—Goodluck Jonathan—through such means in 2015.
They also outlined a long list of perceived political persecution Aregbesola endured within the APC:
- Expelled four times by the party
- Barred from entering Osun State
- Survived an armed attack in Osogbo
- Had his campaign office riddled with bullets
- Was removed from Lagos APC’s GAC
- Excluded from both Osun and Tinubu’s presidential campaign councils
- Saw his loyalists arrested, charged, and expelled from APC
“For six years, Aregbesola was dragged through humiliation and political exile. Now he’s in a new party, people suddenly remember his old ties to Tinubu. Where were they when he was being silenced and sidelined?” the statement queried.
The former governor’s camp insisted the political alliance between Tinubu and Aregbesola is over, and any expectations of loyalty are misplaced.
“It’s like a divorce—once it’s over, your ex’s choices are no longer your business. Aregbesola has moved on. He’s no longer in APC. Let him be.”
They further described attempts to guilt-trip Aregbesola over his political choices as illogical, hypocritical, and delusional.
“The man has chosen a new path where he is valued. Respect it. If APC didn’t want him, they should stop acting entitled to his political destiny now that he’s left.”
The strong-worded response aims to shut down internal criticism and make it clear that Aregbesola is repositioning himself politically, with or without the blessing of his former allies.
