By Jeleel Olawale
Osun State’s political atmosphere is once again intensely charged, not by traditional rallies but by the significance of a single, secretive meeting that could fundamentally alter the state’s power dynamics ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Over the weekend, a high-powered quartet, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, influential businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke, incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, and former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola met in what multiple sources describe as a strategic and far-reaching closed-door session in Osun.
The convergence drew immediate attention for its unusual political mix, a sitting PDP governor, a major PDP elder, and a former national political figure known for building cross-party coalitions. Insiders indicate that discussions centered on Osun’s future, specifically Governor Adeleke’s 2026 re-election ambitions and the damaging internal turmoil currently rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Sources suggest that Dr. Deji Adeleke, the governor’s elder brother and key financial pillar, is increasingly frustrated by the PDP’s infighting, viewing it as a critical threat to the governor’s chances. Dr. Bukola Saraki’s involvement, known for his political dexterity, is reportedly to act as a strategist, helping to craft a new alliance capable of insulating the Adeleke camp from internal PDP sabotage.
Perhaps the most crucial element is the participation of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is now the National Secretary of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC). The former governor, politically estranged from the dominant APC bloc led by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, signaled that he is actively exploring a new political home or alliance.
The most explosive revelation emerging from the meeting is the 85% likelihood that Governor Adeleke is seeking a direct alliance with Aregbesola’s ADC, aiming to replicate the political cooperation that contributed to his victory in 2022.
Though the ADC is currently seen as a relatively weak force, it possesses the potential to become a rallying platform that can decisively pull votes together against the opposition APC. If this scenario materializes, Osun could witness the birth of a formidable third-force coalition, blending the financial muscle of Deji Adeleke, the strategic networks of Saraki, and the grassroots machinery of Aregbesola.
For the PDP, insiders view this potential realignment as a good omen and a strategic imperative. Governor Adeleke remains the party’s biggest political asset, and while his existing structure is formidable despite recent defections of some lawmakers to the APC, the coalition is seen as the right move to ensure victory. One PDP stalwart noted that many of Aregbesola’s men are already serving in the Adeleke cabinet due to the 2022 political arrangement, suggesting this current discussion follows a similar pattern.
For the APC, the potential alliance spells deeper trouble. While Aregbesola still commands respect among a large segment of Osun’s base, particularly in Ilesa and parts of Osogbo, his alignment with Adeleke would widen the APC’s internal divisions, severely eroding its voter strength and complicating its comeback bid. The potential for the PDP to become the dominant force, leveraging Adeleke’s incumbency, Aregbesola’s structure, and Saraki’s national influence, is now very real.
This emerging realignment is more than a local politics, it represents a significant test case for Nigeria’s evolving multi-party democracy. If the PDP-ADC coalition proves successful, it could inspire similar movements in other states, gradually challenging the long-standing political duopoly. With egos, ambitions, and legacies deeply intertwined, the 2026 governorship race appears to be one of the most unpredictable elections in Osun’s history.