By Emeagi Emeka Williams
Overt and covert strategies by certain elements to assassinate the person of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of the Interior, and governor of Osun state have been unearthed, triggering widespread shock and condemnation.
According to various media reports, Nigerians have become awoken to suspicious activities of enemies of Aregbesola who are bent on physical and image assassination, especially due to his independent statesmanlike decisions for Nigeria that betray elitist agenda of a few.
According to a press statement signed by, Oluwaseun Abosede, Spokesperson and Organizing Secretary, Omoluabi Progressives on 16 August, 2025, Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, ruled by certain dictates, once allegedly made threatening remarks at a gathering, pointing to the person of Aregbesola, on 2nd July 2025.
In similar vein, according to the release, a journalist, Mayor Akinpelu once sent a post which conveyed that Aregbesola will face dire consequences for daring to take independent political decisions.
That post augmented other voices from various quarters who readily refer to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as an ingrate who is paying evil for good – another odd expression and conclusion netizens are throbbing to understand.
The release further stressed that the rhetoric intensified on 14 August, 2025 when journalist Gbonka Ebiri openly called for Aregbesola to face the “wrath of Yorubaland”, while branding him a “sell – out”, who must be “made an example”.
The press release condemned these incitements to violence which are inimical to democracy in all civil spaces.
“Worryingly, these verbal attacks soon escalated into physical repression.
On the same day, 14 August, police operatives with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, disrupted the African Democratic Congress rally in Sagamu , Ogun state, where Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was scheduled to lead the campaign for the House of Representatives bye – election candidate, Hon. Oluwaseyi Osho.
“The venue was vandalised, equipment seized, and Ogbeni Aregbesola himself was obstructed from accessing the event.
The attempt by the police to downplay this incident only deepens public suspicion.
” It is becoming increasingly clear that this pattern of coordinated attacks; from inflammatory rhetoric, to physical obstruction, represents nothing less than what analysts have described as “the anatomy of assassination politics.”
“We align with the position of the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups, which has condemned these threats in the strongest terms.
As its Chairman, Dayo Ogunlana, rightly stated: the Yoruba nation must never allow intimidation and violence to replace healthy political contest.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola’s contributions to the Yoruba people, from his reconciliation efforts within the Oodua People’s Congress in the past, to his developmental strides in Osun and Lagos remain indelible .
“Ogbeni Aregbesola committed no crime offence in choosing an independent political path, and his constitutional and democratic rights should be respected.
” We therefore warn, in the clearest possible terms, that any plot to harm Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will be resisted by the people.
“Those behind these plots must desist immediately.
The safety, dignity and political rights of Yoruba leaders must not be sacrificed on the altar of opportunism.
“We call on well- meaning Nigerians to take note of the rhetoric by appointees and supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and urge the relevant security agencies to ensure that democracy is not desecrated by threats, intimidation and violence.
“Any further escalation will not only endanger Ogbeni Aregbesola, but will also destabilise the peace and unity of Yorubaland”, the statement conveyed.
