The patron of the Omoluabi Progressives group, ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has stated that all the debts he incurred in his administration from 2010 and 2018 were not borne out of recklessness or indulgence but were strategic investments.
In a statement signed by the Organising and Publicity Secretary, Omoluabi Progressives, Oluwaseun Abosede, the group responded to the attack by the spokesperson to Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, who had labelled Aregbesola’s administration the worst in Osun history.
The group clarified that the debts were incubated as assets that would liberate the state in the hard economy of today.
Earlier, Rasheed had alleged that Aregbesola, at a rally held in his honour in Osogbo on Sunday, said that he would lead his group to kick-off Ademola Adeleke from office in the 2026 gubernatorial poll
Aregbesola who currently holds the office of the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, according to Rasheed, left legacies of huge debts, half salary payment for civil servants, etc.
In reaction to the allegation in the Tuesday statement, in Oshogbo, the group said they pity the Adeleke administration, as it has lost focus and got trapped in political confusion, according to them.
“We understand the desperation of those who occupy the exalted office of the state administration. Otherwise there can not be any explanation for the despicable outburst of the media spokesperson of the dynastic administration that is incumbent now in Osun.
“It is pitiable that the current administration, rather than focus on governance, is trapped in political confusion and directionless blame games. Let it be stated unequivocally; the debts incurred under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola were not borne out of recklessness or indulgence,” the group stated.
Dismissing claims that Aregbesola administration left a huge debt, Abosede recalled that the modulated salary regime was not an act of malice, but a painful and transparent necessity jointly agreed to by the leadership of the civil service unions and the government.
He added; “Let us also recall that Aregbesola’s handling of state finances and debt was reviewed at the National Assembly (during his ministerial screening), and he was cleared of wrongdoing, reaffirming the transparency of his administration both in Osun, sustained later in Abuja as Minister of Interior.
“The spontaneous and thunderous welcome Aregbesola received during his recent return to Osun clearly must have rattled all his opponents beyond their ken. No handouts. No rented crowds. Just raw, unfiltered love from the same people some claim he “wronged.” The people of Osun have spoken — not with noise, but with presence and enthusiasm.
“If the present administration will listen, it is advised that it focus on governance. His predecessor spent his entire four-year tenure attacking, pillorying, maligning and damaging the image andor legacies of Ogbeni to his chagrin, eternal ruin and woeful defeat at the polls. It is always an exercise in futility and self-destruction.”
Abosede added that the attack on Aregbesola was a desperate attempt by the governor to grab Attention.
He urged all to disregard the noise and tirade against Aregbesola.
