Adeyeye Speaks on Who Can Settle Tinubu, Aregbesola Rift

Adeyeye Speaks on Who Can Settle Tinubu, Aregbesola Rift

  • Former Osun Central Senator Olusola Adeyeye said the feud between President Tinubu and ex-governor Aregbesola can only be settled by the two men themselves
  • Adeyeye acknowledged that Aregbesola's current position in the opposition ADC complicates any prospect of a political reunion before 2027
  • The former senator warned that Aregbesola's personal popularity in Osun does not automatically transfer to other candidates he may back

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over nine years of experience covering politics, elections, public affairs, and governance in Nigeria and Africa.

Osogbo, Osun State - Former Osun Central Senator Olusola Adeyeye has said that only President Bola Tinubu and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola have the power to end the deep political divide between them.

Adeyeye insisted that no third party can force a resolution, stating that only God can settle the rift between the two former political associates.

Olusola Adeyeye says only God knows who can reconcile Rauf Aregbesola and President Bola Tinubu.
Former lawmaker Olusola Adeyeye speaks on the political differences between President Bola Tinubu and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Photo credit: @eobilo
Source: Twitter

Legit.ng reports that Adeyeye made the remarks on Channels Television's Sunday Politics when asked whether a mediator could bring the two men together.

Read also

Former Nigerian senator speaks on what may happen if Atiku wins Tinubu, Obi, others in 2027

He said:

"When things get to be like this, only the two of them can forgive each other."

The former National Assembly member, who serves as South-West Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, said he personally wanted the two politicians reconciled, arguing it would strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said:

"My wish would be for my party and for the president, because I want the president to win, and if he must, we must bring everybody together."

Aregbesola's ADC membership complicates reunion

Adeyeye was candid about the obstacles standing in the way. He noted that Aregbesola's membership of the African Democratic Congress makes a political return to the APC unlikely without damage to his reputation among supporters who followed him out.

"It won't look good to his admirers, especially those who follow him to that party," he said.

On the ADC's electoral fortunes, Adeyeye questioned how the party performed during the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election, particularly in Aregbesola's stronghold areas.

Read also

2027 presidency: Aggrieved APC governors allegedly explore alliance with Atiku to tackle Wike

"How did the ADC perform, even in Ilesa? How did Aregbesola perform in Osun Central, where I come from?" he asked, suggesting the former governor's influence over voters had limits when he was not on the ballot himself.

Adeyeye backs APC to win south-west

Despite the internal tensions, Adeyeye expressed confidence that the APC would hold the south-west in the 2027 presidential election.

"I make bold: anyone from any party who thinks the next election will be easy for it is suffering self-delusion. We in the APC, we work very hard to win, and I want to assure you that we will win," he said, adding: "We will win big. I care that we win the South-West, and we're going to shock everybody."

He did not downplay Aregbesola's personal appeal, acknowledging the former governor remains a formidable figure in Osun politics.

"The truth is he's still a magnificent person, much loved. If he were a candidate, believe you me, anybody would be hard-pressed to beat him in Osun," Adeyeye said.

However, he drew a clear distinction between loyalty to a person and loyalty to a party, warning that Aregbesola should not assume his popularity automatically transfers to whoever he endorses.

Read also

Wike's Rainbow Coalition gains backing of aggrieved APC leaders across 10 states, full list emerges

"Where he's not the candidate, even he must not deceive himself that he can automatically take the affection for him to another person," he said.

Watch Senator Adeyeye's video on the Tinubu-Aregbesola rift below via X:

Read more on Aregbesola

Onanuga tackles ADC's Aregbesola

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to President Tinubu, criticised Aregbesola over his remarks on the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Responding in a post on X, Onanuga described Aregbesola’s comments as misleading and accused him of failing to reflect on his record in public office.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola Yusuf avatar

Ridwan Adeola Yusuf (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content writer with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.