Osun 2026: Aregbesola loyalists rejoin APC, declare support for Oyebamiji

The return of the defunct The Osun Progressives (TOP), loyal to former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to the mainstream All Progressives Congress (APC) marks a significant development in the state's political landscape. Rebranded as the Osun Progressives Ambassadors, this group's reintegration, facilitated by Adegboyega Oyetola's son, Femi Oyetola, signals a potential consolidation of forces within the APC ahead of the crucial August 15 governorship election.

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We aligned with TOP with the hope of correcting grey areas and strengthening the party, but later discovered that the platform had become a vehicle for personal vendetta aimed at undermining the chances of the progressive family in the state.

According to the group's leader, Adeniran Ajala, their decision to return stems from a realization that their previous political alignment under TOP was driven by "personal agenda aimed at undermining the chances of the progressive family in the state." This candid admission suggests internal discord within the former faction and a strategic shift towards unity within the larger APC structure. The group's stated hope was to "correct grey areas and strengthening the party," but they discovered the platform had become "a vehicle for personal vendetta."

The warm reception and reintegration efforts, spearheaded by Femi Oyetola's campaign team, underscore the APC's focus on party cohesion. Oyetola, represented by his campaign Director-General Kehinde Ayantunji, encouraged the returning members to work diligently for the party's success, emphasizing that this election is a "defining moment for the APC in the state." The call for accommodation of the returning members by existing party faithful highlights the leadership's commitment to inclusivity and collective effort.

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Femi Oyetola, who was represented by his Director-General, Kehinde Ayantunji, commended the bold step taken by members of the defunct TOP and urged them to work diligently for the success of the party in the forthcoming governorship election, which he described as a defining moment for the APC in the state.

From a Nigerian perspective, this development is viewed not just as a political maneuver but as a necessary step towards strengthening the ruling party. The emphasis on correcting "grey areas" and moving beyond "personal vendetta" resonates with the electorate's desire for stable governance and party discipline. The return of these loyalists, while perhaps driven by strategic calculations, is framed as a positive move towards unity and a stronger electoral front for the APC in Osun State.

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He also urged party members across the state, especially the youths, to accommodate the returning members at the ward, local government, and state levels of the party, describing them as partners in the development of Osun State.