By Ebenezer Mabinuola
In a statement that aims to clarify lingering speculation within Osun State’s political circles, Senator Ajibola Basiru has publicly denied any current political affiliation or behind-the-scenes alliance with former governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the National Assembly complex, Basiru – who represents Osun Central in the Senate – firmly addressed what he called “persistent but unfounded narratives” linking him with Aregbesola’s political camp. The senator emphasized that he stands independently within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and remains committed to the party’s institutional direction rather than personal allegiances.
“Let me be unequivocal,” Basiru said. “I am not in any political arrangement, formal or informal, with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Our political paths diverged long ago, and any claims to the contrary are either mischief or misinformation.”
Basiru’s remarks come amid renewed rumours of a rekindled alliance between the two politicians – rumours intensified by their simultaneous presence at a recent public event in Osogbo. Political observers quickly speculated a thaw in their long-frozen relationship, citing their shared history in the APC and Basiru’s previous tenure as Attorney General during Aregbesola’s administration.
However, the senator was quick to challenge that narrative, cautioning against what he described as “emotive nostalgia masquerading as political analysis.”
“Respecting someone’s public service legacy does not equate to aligning with their political current,” Basiru said. “We must learn to differentiate between coincidence and collaboration.”
While Basiru acknowledged Aregbesola’s role in shaping Osun’s political architecture, he stopped short of offering any praise or criticism – choosing instead to pivot toward what he called “the urgent need to focus on party unity ahead of 2026.”
The clarification is seen as a strategic move, especially as the APC in Osun continues to recover from deep internal fractures that followed the party’s 2022 electoral loss to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Aregbesola himself has remained a divisive figure within the APC, with his supporters often accused of running parallel structures and undermining party cohesion.
Neither Aregbesola nor his media aides have responded to the senator’s remarks as of press time. Meanwhile, grassroots leaders in Osun appear divided – some interpreting the denial as a genuine stance, others viewing it as political theatre designed to mask shifting allegiances.
“Osun deserves clarity, not confusion,” Basiru concluded. “My loyalty is to our people and to a progressive future – not to political ghosts from the past.”
As Osun’s political landscape continues to evolve, such statements may be less about the past and more about claiming space in the future of the state – and the nation.
