Osun 2026: God Is With Us, Says Aregbesola

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The former Governor of Osun State and the immediate past Minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said he was optimistic that the God is with him and his party , African Democratic Party (ADC) in the coming Osun 2026 gubernatorial election.

Aregbesola stated this while addressing mammoth crowd who gathered at a reception organised to celebrate the 60th birthday of former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The ADC national Secretary said he avoided saying anything that would hurt the state government but he was very sure that God is with ADC and will support his party.

Aregbesola, after sharing pleasantries with the duo of the incumbent Speaker of the State Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the representative of the state governor, George Alabi, simply said, ” I would not want to offend either of the two men with my speech.

He, however, maintained that, despite that, “I am very sure that it is our own (ADC) that God will support.”

On the celebrant, Salaam, Aregbesola described him as a worthy ambassador who knows his onions in any circle and congratulated him on his birthday.

The former governor of the state, who referred to the celebrant as a politician that understands the language of politics and politicking, prayed to God to give longevity of life to live in sound mind and sound health to be able to contribute more meaningfully to his Father’s land.

In his lecture, a University lecturer, Prof. Shola Omotola, described party switching as one of the challenges facing democracy in Nigeria and suggested sanctions that would be prescribed by law to curb unnecessary defections.

The Professor of Political Science from Federal University, Oye Ekiti, who spoke on “Legislative Contributions to the Sustenance of Nigeria’s Democracy since 1999: Hurdles We Must Overcome,” posited that party switching/carpet crossing without consequences has been a serious inhibiting factor limiting the contributions of the legislature to democratic consolidation.

He suggested reform of political parties with emphasis on internal party democracy, adding that there should be adequate sanctions as prescribed in the law for party switching to serve as deterrence.

In his speech on the occasion, the State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, described the ex-Speaker as his role model, saying his contribution to the growth of the state House of Assembly will remain unerased.

He said, “You have always been my role model. The 8th Assembly is proud to associate with you. We see you as a role model.

“I told my people that I will relocate to my community if they elect me. I did it because I saw you, being the only Speaker in the history of Osun that holds his house firmly.”

Meanwhile, the celebrant , former speaker Salaam expressed deep appreciation to people who came to rejoice with him on the occasion of his birthday celebration, saying he was so happy with the number of the people who came to celebrate him.

Salaam warned against politics with bitterness, acrimony, and disharmony among politicians and residents of the state but charged them to ensure the state is united with their actions before, during and after the 2026 elections and beyond.

He pointed out that remarkable achievements could only be recorded in the atmosphere of peace.

“I want to express my deep appreciation to each and everyone who came to rejoice with me, thing of joy will continue to flow in their lives. Also, I want to urged the residents of the state to continue to maintain peaceful consistence and avoid anything capable of causing political crisis in the state”.