- Loyalists of former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola have returned to the APC ahead of the 2026 governorship election
- The group endorsed APC governorship candidate Munirudeen Oyebamiji
- APC leaders urged party members and youths to welcome the returnees and work towards victory in the August 15 election
Supporters of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who were previously aligned with the now-defunct The Osun Progressives (TOP), have returned to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
The group also declared support for the APC governorship candidate, Munirudeen Oyebamiji, as the party intensified preparations for the poll.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 7, the group’s leader, Adeniran Ajala, said the members had returned to the APC under a new platform known as Osun Progressives Ambassadors after what he described as years of political missteps.
Ajala explained that the group’s reintegration into the APC was facilitated by Femi Oyetola, son of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to him, members initially joined TOP in the belief that the movement would strengthen the APC and correct perceived internal issues within the party.
However, he said they later realised the group had deviated from progressive ideals.
“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,” Ajala stated.
He added that the group had now resolved to fully support the APC and work towards the victory of Oyebamiji in the forthcoming governorship election, as well as future electoral contests in the state.
Ajala further praised Femi Oyetola and his political team for welcoming the returning members back into the party structure.
Represented by his campaign Director-General, Kehinde Ayantunji, Oyetola described the defection as a significant development for the APC ahead of the election.
He encouraged the former TOP members to remain committed to the party’s success, calling the governorship poll “a defining moment for the APC in the state.”
The APC chieftain also appealed to party members, particularly youths across the state, to embrace the returnees at all levels of the party.
Other party leaders who received the group included former Special Adviser to Oyetola, Rasak Adeosun; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bayo Adeleke; and Osun APC Youth Leader, Goke Akinwomimo.
Osun 2026: Oyebamiji launches ‘Prosper’ Agenda, targets poverty, unemployment ahead of election
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2026 Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, unveiled his development blueprint tagged the ‘Osun Prosperity Agenda,’ outlining a seven-point plan focused on social protection, rural development and economic growth.
Oyebamiji said his administration, if elected, would prioritise poverty reduction, workers’ welfare, job creation and transparent governance, while also expanding economic opportunities across the state.
According to the APC candidate, the proposed agenda is designed to improve living conditions, strengthen social support systems and create a more inclusive economy that benefits women, youths and small business owners.