The political landscape of Osun State is heating up as Governor Ademola Adeleke and his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, engage in a bitter war of words ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election. What began as a routine political exchange has escalated into a full-blown confrontation, with Adeleke branding Aregbesola’s tenure as “the darkest chapter in Osun’s history,” while the latter vows to unseat him through his new party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) .

At the heart of this feud lies a deeper narrative—a battle over legacy, governance, and the soul of Osun’s future.

The conflict was reignited when Aregbesola, now interim National Secretary of the ADC, declared during a homecoming rally in Osogbo that his party would dislodge Adeleke in 2026. He framed the upcoming election as a referendum on Adeleke’s administration, dismissing the governor’s achievements as insufficient .

Aregbesola’s confidence stems from his belief that Adeleke’s rumored defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) signals internal instability. Though Adeleke has yet to confirm his exit, his recent absence from PDP meetings and his nephew Davido’s cryptic lyrics (“From Umbrella to Broom”) have fueled speculation of an impending switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC) .

Governor Adeleke’s response was swift and brutal. In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, he accused Aregbesola of leaving Osun in “financial ruin” and “human suffering.” The governor’s administration claims to have uncovered a trail of mismanagement, including: Aregbesola’s controversial policy left workers unpaid for months. Adeleke says his government has cleared 28 months of these arrears.

Nearly ₦60 billion in unpaid pensions, which Adeleke claims to have settled, saving retirees from destitution.  The infamous Opon Imo (learning tablets) scheme, which Adeleke dismisses as a “scam,” and abandoned infrastructure like the Ilesa dualization project.

Adeleke’s administration also touts its own achievements: A 40% reduction in Osun’s debt burden.

Construction of 200km of roads, rehabilitation of 200 schools and health centers, and free health insurance for 30,000 pensioners.

“The people of Osun remember the suffering under Aregbesola,” Adeleke’s statement read. “2026 will be payback time”.

Perhaps no issue encapsulates this rivalry more than education. Aregbesola’s reforms—school reclassification, mega-school constructions, and Opon Imo—were initially praised for improving WAEC pass rates from 15.68% in 2010 to 50.16% in 2019. However, his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, reversed many policies, leading to a decline in performance.

Adeleke now faces the same dilemma: continue Oyetola’s reversal or forge a new path. His recent education summit suggests another overhaul, but critics warn against “policy flip-flops” that could further destabilize the sector.