By Tunde Olamilekan
A group loyal to the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, ‘The Omoluabi Progressives’, has raised alarm over an alleged coordinated attempt to eliminate the former Minister and ex-governor of Osun State.
The organising secretary of the group, Oluwaseun Abosede in a statement released on Saturday night, said recent incidents point to a political and physical campaign to silence the ADC chieftain.
According to Abosede, inflammatory remarks, veiled threats, and state-backed actions had combined to fuel suspicion of a wider agenda against Aregbesola.
The statement stated that, “Taken together, these developments raise genuine fears that a sinister agenda is being orchestrated to silence him permanently under the guise of politics.”
The group further said, “Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, made a declaration at a rally on July 23, 2025, interpreted as a call for violence. He reportedly stated in Yoruba, ‘Ilẹ o mú wọn’ meaning ‘the land will consume them’, a phrase the group said was directed at Aregbesola.”
The group organising secretary in the statement also cited a social media post on August 2, 2025, in which journalist, Mayor Akinpelu wrote that “no man could repay good with evil and get away with it.”
The Omoluabi Progressives noted that the article, amplified by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, suggested dire consequences for Aregbesola.
Such rhetoric, according to the statement, amounted to incitement to violence, adding that tension arose on August 14, 2025, when a journalist, Gbonka Ebiri allegedly described Aregbesola as a sell-out and called for him to face the wrath of Yorubaland.
The group also alleged, “police operatives with an Armoured Personnel Carrier disrupted an African Democratic Congress rally in Sagamu, Ogun State on Tuesday.
“The event was scheduled to be addressed by Aregbesola in support of Hon. Solomon Oluwaseyi Osho, candidate in the House of Representatives bye-election.
“The venue was reportedly vandalised, equipment seized and Aregbesola prevented from attending the event.”
While describing the pattern of rhetoric and physical obstruction as the anatomy of assassination politics, the group called for urgent action to ensure the safety of the former Osun governor.
The group aligned itself with the Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups, which condemned the threats through its chairman, Dayo Ogunlana who said that, “Yoruba politics must not descend into intimidation and violence.”
The statement stressed that Aregbesola had committed no offence in pursuing an independent political path and that his constitutional rights must be respected.
The Omoluabi Progressives while urging Nigerians to take note of remarks by appointees and supporters of President Bola Tinubu, warned that any attempt to harm Aregbesola would be resisted.
The group called on security agencies to act decisively.
“The safety, dignity, and political rights of Yoruba leaders must not be sacrificed on the altar of opportunism.
“Any further escalation of threats could endanger Aregbesola and undermine peace in Yorubaland,” it concluded.