Ataoja of Osogbo Publicly Endorses Aregbesola, ADC Ahead of 2026 Osun Governorship Race

Ataoja of Osogbo Publicly Endorses Aregbesola, ADC Ahead of 2026 Osun Governorship Race

By Gbenga Shaba

The Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Laroye II, has openly endorsed former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as preparations intensify for the 2026 gubernatorial election.

The traditional ruler made the declaration at his palace in Osogbo during a courtesy visit by Aregbesola and top ADC leaders, ahead of the party’s concluding constituency tour across the state.

Oba Oyetunji did not mince words in expressing his support for the former governor, stating that the people of Osogbo will stand firmly behind him.

“Your coming to Osogbo today is symbolic because I had not heard that you adopted a new party until now that you visited. That you have come to openly declare being in a new party with all those that followed you means the whole of Osogbo will be behind you,” he said.
“No one will see me and not see Aregbe, and when you see Aregbe, you will surely see me.”

He praised Aregbesola’s leadership qualities and his commitment to the development of Osun, stressing that the former governor had shown loyalty and respect to traditional institutions.

“Aregbesola’s journey this time around is different. He has come to work assiduously for the betterment of the people of Osun. He is one man I respect a lot because when some naysayers were mounting pressure on him to dethrone me, he did not listen to them,” the monarch noted.

The Ataoja further emphasized Osogbo’s political unity and expressed gratitude for Aregbesola’s past contributions to the city.

“We are not ingrates in Osogbo. Osogbo is always united when it comes to politics. I’m for Aregbesola. I will never leave him. Wherever he goes, we shall follow,” he declared.

Speaking in Yoruba, Oba Oyetunji asked his chiefs and the Asiwaju of Osogbo land, Hon. Justice Moshud Adekunle Adeigbe (Rtd), if they shared his view. They responded in affirmation, signaling collective backing for Aregbesola and the ADC.

The endorsement adds significant weight to ADC’s campaign efforts ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.