Hon. Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Osun State’s Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said on Sunday that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu.
Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, stated on social media that if he were in Aregbesola’s place, he would do the same thing.
The remark comes amid political unrest in Osun State, where the Omoluabi Progressives, a political party supported by Aregbesola, recently declared its resignation from the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision followed long-standing and irreconcilable divisions with the mainstream APC, exacerbated by feuds between Aregbesola and his successor, ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to many APC insiders, Aregbesola’s departure was prompted in part by a disagreement with Tinubu over unnamed concerns.
In a post uploaded on his official page, Oke, who confirmed the post to our correspondent, added that if he were an APC member, he would have attempted to resolve Aregbesola and Oyetola’s issues.
Oke also urged the PDP to capitalise on the APC’s internal fissures, characterising Aregbesola as a key political player in Osun State.
Oke wrote, “Egbon Rauf ‘Soji Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State and Minister of Interior, is an enigma—a grassroots mobiliser, singer, and dancer. He is a major force and a BRIDE in Osun politics, whether we admit it or not.
“If I were in his shoes, I would go and beg, prostrate, and make peace with my principal, PBAT. Assuming I were a member of the APC in Osun, I would ensure that Asiwaju Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni Aregbesola reconcile. As we know, ‘Ija o’ dola”—fighting doesn’t bring wealth.”
Oke advised the PDP to move quickly to gain from the political impasse within the APC.
He described him as a “bride” in Osun politics, saying, “The PDP must act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and bring this ‘bride’ into their fold. Symbol, as he is popularly known, is not someone you let wander.”
Speaking on his time as governor, Oke continued, “Even though I wasn’t in Aregbesola’s party—AC, ACN, or APC—I still won my elections. The secret? The great people of Ijesa North. In the Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, Ogbeni can still pull a minimum of 20,000 votes. In Ijesa North and Ijesa South, Ogbeni’s influence is undeniable.”
Oke emphasised the importance of bringing the former minister into the PDP, adding, “Any politician who can invite 10 to 20 people to a meeting, feed them, and provide them with a token afterward should not be ignored.”
He concluded by saying, “Baba Kabiru is a factor in Osun politics. Please keep this post and get back to me after 2026.”
