Tag: Adeoti

  • BREAKING: Adeoti dumps Aregbesola, ADC over alleged plan to cede guber ticket to ex-speaker

    BREAKING: Adeoti dumps Aregbesola, ADC over alleged plan to cede guber ticket to ex-speaker

    The former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti, has formally withdrawn his allegiance to former governor Rauf Aregbesola and exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid growing rumours that the party plans to hand its 2026 governorship ticket to former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam.

    Adeoti, who once served under Aregbesola, was the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADP) in 2018, polling 49,745 votes after dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC) toward the end of the administration.

    He later returned to the APC in 2020 at the height of political tensions between Aregbesola and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

    During the 2022 gubernatorial election, Adeoti emerged as Aregbesola’s preferred aspirant, a move that deeply unsettled members of The Osun Progressives (TOP).

    His political trajectory took another turn when he, alongside Salam, Senator Lere Oriolowo and others, was suspended from the APC for alleged anti-party activities.

    The group subsequently formed the Omoluabi Progressives under Aregbesola’s influence before defecting to the ADC.

    The Nation reported that leaders of the Omoluabi Progressives had urged the ADC to zone its 2026 governorship ticket to Osun West, where both Adeoti and Salam hail from.

    However, at the weekend, indications emerged that the party had settled on Salam as its consensus candidate, a decision that sparked discontent among Adeoti and Senator Oriolowo, both of whom are from Iwo.

    In reaction to the development, Adeoti pulled out of Aregbesola’s camp, the ADC and the Omoluabi Progressives, describing the move as a difficult but necessary decision.

    Read Also: PCMM flays visa fraud, seeks fairer  procedures for Nigerians

    In a letter dated November 30, 2025, and signed by him, Adeoti wrote, “I, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti, the Deputy Leader of Omoluabi Progressives in Osun State, hereby tender this letter of withdrawal from the group, which I co-founded with other progressive-minded individuals across the state.”

    His exit marks yet another major shift in the evolving political landscape of Osun ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

    “This also includes my complete withdrawal from all the group activities henceforth. My decision to withdraw was never an easy one, especially each time I looked back and considered all my investments into ensuring the survival of the group throughout its turbulent period from its inception to date.”

    He stated that he was pressured by his family members on the need to take an immediate short rest from all political activities.

    “I want to specially thank everyone of my fellow Progressives for the level of trust reposed in me while in the group and wishing the current leadership success in all the group’s future endeavours.”

    When The Nation contacted him, Adeoti only confirmed the letter and refused to make further comments about his action. 

  • I’m confident of winning, says Adeoti

    The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti said he was confident that he would win.

    Adeoti who spoke to reporters shortly after casting his vote at Unit 4, Ward 12, Post office frontage, Iwo, said his popularity cut across the three senatorial districts in the state.

    He said “if you watch our campaign train you would observe that we were received by huge crowd every where. l am a grass root politician. I have served my people, laid down my life my life in the process. I’m going to reap from the goodwill of my people. ”

    Read Also: Victory is assured, says Adeleke

    He advised the voters not to give consideration to monetary inducement but should vote for the Candidate that would serve their interest.

  • Osun decides: Oyetola, Omisore, Adeleke, Adeoti, Akinbade in tough contest

    Four years after outgoing governor, Rauf Aregbesola, won a reelection in tough circumstances, another governorship election holds today to produce his successor. As the electorate cast their votes, BISI OLADELE and ADESOJI ADENIYI analyse the likely voting patterns across the major towns and cities in the State of Virtues.

    FIVE main gorvernorship contenders are set to battle for the votes of 1.24 million voters expected to turn out today to choose who should govern Osun State for the next four years. Although the available votes will be shared between 48 candidates of different parties standing for the election, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Moshood Adeoti of the African Democratic Party (ADP), Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Fatai Akinbade of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are considered as main contenders. The huge number of PVC holders presents both a challenge and opportunity for the candidates one way or the other. For candidates that are really popular in towns and communities with high number of PVC holders, it will be an opportunity to score high and vice versa.

    The towns and cities include Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Iwo, Ede, Ejigbo and Ikirun. Osogbo Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has the highest number of votes, judging by past elections. This is so particularly when joined with votes from Ikirun, a neighbouring town. Voters in Osogbo will more likely decide in favour of APC’s Oyetola because the city has benefitted most from the urban renewal project and education policies of the Aregbesola administration in the last eight years. The transformation of Osogbo has been massive under Aregbesola, and this has greatly enhanced the economic strength of the city. Besides, none of the five major candidates hails from the town. While Oyetola hails from Iragbiji, Omisore from Ile-Ife, Adeleke from Ede and Adeoti from Iwo, ADC’s Akinbade hails from Ogbagbaa, near Iwo. In fact, some opposition politicians have accused the APC of concentrating development on Osogbo alone, given the massive infrastructural renewal and beautification project of the Aregbesola administration. But that does not foreclose the chances of other parties from gaining some percentage of the votes as they all have their supporters spread in the entire state. But APC is tipped to score the majority of votes in Osogbo and its surrounding communities. Ede Adeleke is expected to pull a large number of votes from Ede.

    APC strategists, however, believe that the party will get substantial votes from the town as many of its indigenes are not favourably disposed to Adeleke. The emergence of Adeleke as the PDP flag bearer has sharply divided the PDP faithful. The aggrieved among the members believe that the Adeleke family is cornering the privileges coming to the town even when it is obvious that other qualified people should be considered. Our reporter gathered reliably in the town that the emergence of Adeleke forced the former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adejare Bello, and his followers out of the party. His followers believe that Bello or other qualified Ede indigenes should have been given the opportunity to emerge as the PDP candidate instead of Adeleke who replaced his late elder brother in the Senate.

    But Bello and his supporters are not alone, some other indigenes of the town also believe that it was wrong to have presented the new senator who has no higher education to represent the town as governor when there are well educated politicians who have also been contributing their own quota to the development of the town. Added to the above factor is the recent award of the contract for the rehabilitation of Ede-Ejigbo Road by the Aregbeshola administration, a decision that was applauded by many in the town. For these reasons, Adeleke may not enjoy block votes from Ede as it happened during his senatorial election. APC is likely to pull huge votes next to Adeleke in Ede. Iwo Though ADP’s Adeoti and ADC’s Akinbade hail from Iwo zone, many will be surprised at how APC will poll high number of votes in the zone. Though Adeoti and Akinbade are well known in the towns and communities in Iwo zone, their expected bloc votes are threatened by APC’s acceptance, particularly in Iwo town which has the largest population in the zone. The establishment in the town is largely behind the APC. This will weaken the chances of Adeoti producing bloc votes from the area. Even if the APC candidate comes second in Iwo, it will really weaken Adeoti’s chances because the town has a huge voting strength. Ilesa Ilesa, in this analysis, covers the entire Ijesa land, which comprises six local governments. The voting pattern in the zone is largely unpredictable. But APC will likely have a good showing in the area.

    The outgoing governor hails from Ilesa. The current Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, also hails from the area. It is, therefore, expected that their kinsmen will reward their sons’ selection and successes by voting massively for the APC candidate. One of the major roads leading to Ilesa will soon be awarded for reconstruction by the state government. But Omisore and Adeoti will also corner some votes from the area. While Omisore represented the area at the Senate twice, Adeoti’s party has some juggernauts in Ijesa land. Nonetheless, APC is expected to score the majority votes in the area. Ile-Ife This is the base of the SDP candidate, Omisore. Ile-Ife has the second largest voting strength in the state due to the Obafemi Awolowo University community. Omisore, who is a former deputy governor and senator, has proved to be a dogged fighter since his crisis with his former boss, Chiefs Bisi Akande and the late Bola Ige exploded in 2001. He was then the deputy governor under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He won his first senatorial election while in detention at Agodi, Ibadan prison during his trial over Bola Ige’s murder.

    Since then, he remained very popular in his town. This time, THE NATION gathered reliably that Omisore is sure to poll the highest number of votes in Ile-Ife and its environs. The surrounding communities include Garage Olode, Ifetedo and Ipetumodu. But the APC is hopeful; it believes it will poll sizable votes in these areas, given the number of people that have benefitted from the Aregbesola administration in the last eight years. Ejigbo Ejigbo is another town within Osun West Senatorial District which has a good number of voting population. The current Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, is a native of Ejigbo. Feelers from the town show that he is well loved due to his accessibility, love and philanthropy. For the above reason, the APC will likely win in the town with wide margin.

    Iragbiji In Iragbiji, Oyetola’s home town, he is sure to poll the highest votes while in other towns such as Ikire, Gbongan, Odeomu, Ila, Iree and Okuku, the candidates will enjoy patronage based on the strength of their parties and candidates. Omisore is popular in some parts of Ikire zone. For being in government in the last eight years, it is expected that the APC will enjoy a good patronage from the voters across all parts of the state. Ikire Ikire is another town with sizable number of voters, particularly when joined with its surrounding communities such as Orile-Owu, Apomu and some surrounding villages. Oyetola’s running mate, Benedict Alabi, hails from the zone. Omisore’s running mate Lawal, also hails from the zone. But due to the influence of some PDP juggernauts in the zone, Adeleke’s PDP is tipped to have a fairly good showing in Ikire Zone.

    Oyetola, Omisore and Adeleke are likely to garner high number of votes in the area. Obviously, votes in the zone are most likely going to be divided. NEWS THE NATION I SATURDAY I SEPTEMBER 22 I 2018 3 Osun 2014 governorship election results LG APC PDP Ifedayo 4,225 3982 Boluwaduro 4,891 5,035 Ilesha East 16,106 5,913 Odo Otin 11,950 12,902 Ilesha West 15,427 5,449 Orolu 8,558 6,786 Oriade 12,523 10,214 Atakumosa 6,928 5,142 Ede South 11,738 7,462 Ila Oragun 10,825 7,916 Boripe 12,723 9,344 Irepodun 13,314 7,386 Ife Central 9,680 24,555 Ife East 13,821 20,831 Ola Oluwa 7,927 4,963 Isokan 9,758 10,028 Ife North 8,603 9,841 Ede North 15,403 10,427 Ifelodun 17,447 12,442 Ayedaade 12,801 11,255 Obokun 11,696 8,618 Irewole 18,328 10,330 Egbedore 10,215 7024 Aiyedire 7,724 7,813 Iwo 20,827 15,493 Osogbo 39,983 11,513 Olorunda 26,551 8,483 Ife South 7,325 12,811 Atakumota East 9,287 6,294 (Election did not hold in Alarere polling unit) Ejigbo 17,700 12,495 (11 polling units had over voting and forged signatures) Gbongan and Odeomu These are towns whose voting patterns are unpredictable. There are supporters of each of the five leading parties in the two towns. Yet, the majority may vote for the APC, the party having been impacting their lives and communities in the last eight years. In all, the four candidates that will most likely have the highest votes are Oyetola, Omisore, Adeoti and Adeleke in that order.

  • Adeoti, Omisore, Akinbade meeting deadlocked

    The last minute attempt by three governorship candidates to present a common candidate for Saturday’s election has failed.
    The candidates involved were Alhaji Moshood Adeoti of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Senator Iyiola Omisore,  Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Alhaji Fatai Akinbode, African Democratic Congress (ADC).
    Reliable sources disclosed that the the meeting was held at the instance of some Yoruba elders who wanted the three parties to present a common front to dislodge All Progressives Congress (APC)  from  power in Osun State.
    None of  the three candidates, according to our source, was ready to step down at the meeting held on Wednesday night through early Thursday morning.
    Adeoti ‘s media aide,  Mr Kayode Agbaje confirmed that three candidates met but he said it was not about stepping down for each other.
    Rather, Agbaje said there coming  together was to ensure that their polling agents collaborate at the polling units  to guarantee free and fair election and that the results announced reflect the people’s will.
    Agbaje said the candidates insist that the process must be credible  and if any other party tries to play a smart game that would undermine the process, the candidates would reject it.
    He said his principal does not have to merge with any party to win today’s election because he is the candidate to beat.
  • I am in the race to win -Adeoti

    Action Democratic Party (ADP) candidate, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, in this interview told Adebisi Adeyinka that he is in the race to win

    WHAT is the driving force behind your ambition to govern Osun State?

    Let me say with humility that my ambition to become the next governor of Osun State is not for selfish reasons. It was propelled by calls by the residents and prominent Osun indigenes who are desirous to uplift the state into further development from its current state. In addition to the call is my preparedness to contribute my own quota to the development of the state. Osun State in its current level of development needs someone with the experience, the presence of mind, calmness, political sagacity and in-depth knowledge of its people, most especially, the grassroots populace, who are demanding greater government presence in their respective settlements. Furthermore, it is my belief that irrespective of whatever the current administration in the state regards as its achievements, there would always be the need and room for further improvements.

    You were part of Aregbesola’s government for almost eight years as SSG and a former gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the APC. Why did you part ways with the ruling party?

    First and foremost, let me make it clear that my decision to part ways with the ruling party in Osun State was taken upon realising that some highly influential members of the party were no longer comfortable operating in the spirit of fair play, justice and equity. For reasons best known to them, they decided to manipulate the process by inhumanly and unlawfully changing the rules at the near end of the game. It was at this stage that myself and my teeming supporters felt we needed to quit the party when the ovation was loudest. Since I could not leave the party without leaving the government, I then decided to resign my membership of both the government and the party almost at the same time with a view to pursuing my political ambition on another platform.

    Your new party, the ADP, is seen to be relatively new in the nation’s political scene. Are you not worried that this may affect your electoral fortune?

    Yes, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in your words may be relatively new on the nation’s political scene, but I can confidently tell you that the party consists of highly experienced politicians that have been tested and can be trusted. Since no political party can exist without the members, I would say our party in spite of its young age, would spring a surprise and make its indelible mark during the September 22 governorship election in Osun State. Coming to the next part of your question, I want to put it clear to you that the ADP is here to win and not just merely in the race to simply participate and leave.

    What do you intend to do differently if you win the forthcoming governorship election in terms of developmental agenda?

    Let me first of all remind you that our party, the ADP, has a lot of goodies for the masses in the state as contained in its manifestoes. Therefore, as a responsible and responsive administration, if voted into power, we shall ensure the implementation of the party manifestoes to the letter. As a truly progressive party, the ADP has the masses at the center of its attention and consideration. We have in stock abundant welfare packages for the people that would signal a clear departure of the usual. Aside the free education and free health, an ADP administration will ensure meaningful engagement of our teeming youths that will not ridicule their academic qualifications.

    Some stakeholders are of the view that your ambition is propelled by the West agenda. This is coming against the backdrop of the position in some quarters that aspiration to govern Osun should not be subjected to whims and caprices of zoning the governorship ticket to any part of Osun. What’s your take on this?

    I want to tell you that such political jargon is just being smuggled into the state’s political dictionary for self-serving reasons. Look at it this way! Since the state was created by the military in 1991, aside the 22 month-tenure of the late Senator Isiaka Adetunji (from West Senatorial District), all other senatorial districts have had minimum of eight years in the saddle. Chief Adebisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (both from the Central Senatorial District) have had close to twelve years at the helms of affairs in the state and currently we have Governor Rauf Aregbesola (from East Senatorial District) as governor and just rounding off an eight-year tenure of two terms. Now tell me, naturally which of the senatorial districts should produce the next governor other than the West?

    It is being said in town that about three governors in the South West and some powerful forces in the Presidency are backing your gubernatorial ambition with the game plan of defecting back to the APC after winning the poll. What is your reaction to this?

    Let me make it clear and for record purposes that my ambition is funded by friends and party members who believe and have confidence in my ability to change the fortune of the state for the better. As a politician of several years standing, it is natural that I have friends who are business people and politicians.

  • Oyetola, Salam, Yusuff, Adeoti, 23 others vie for Osun APC ticket

    Twenty-seven aspirants will contest All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Osun State, Chairman of the party, Mr. Gboyega Famodun, has said.

    Famodun, at a meeting with the aspirants yesterday in Osogbo, said they aspirants could engage in consultation ahead of primaries for the September 22 poll.

    Notable among aspirants at the meeting are Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Lasun Yussuff; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam and Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Gboyega Oyetola.

    Others include Secretary to Osun Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and Chairman, Osun Civil Service Commission Mr Peter Babalola.

    Famodun said Expression of Intention to contest would attract N500,000.

    He urged aspirants not to see the primary election as a do-or-die affair.

    The chairman enjoined aspirants to abide by rules and guidelines of the party, and warned against hate speech and anti-party activities.

    He said the party would ensure free, fair and credible primaries.

    “I appeal to the aspirants not to conduct themselves in a way that will embarrass the party or make it to be as if we are at war with one another,” Famodun said.

    He went on: “Our rules of campaign is that you should have a decent and colourful statewide campaign for the mobilisation of members and promotion of the party and the government. You should not engage in hate speech, promotion or rancour and anti-war type sentiments. Do not malign the party and the government.

    “You should foster the unity of the party in all your activities and don’t encourage any factionalisation. Your campaign must reflect the state of our economy. You must have beautiful and well organised outings. No flamboyant or ostentation. You should launch your campaign from the party’s secretariat in Osogbo. Itinerary of campaigns must be approved by the party.

    “There should be maximum guarantee of security and safety. You must avoid any action or statement that can embarrass the party and the government. You must conduct yourself and team with decorum, pride and dignity always.”

    Responding on behalf of other aspirants, Salaam promised that they would abide by the rules and regulations during campaigns.