More than 300 grassroots mobilisers of the Ilerioluwa Caucus in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, on Saturday, pledged to work for the actualisation of the political aspiration of Omoluabi Progressives.
The mobilisers, who formally pitched their tent with the tendency from differnt political leanings across the state, assured of their readiness to work so that the fold can produce the next government in the state.
Some of the new members who declared their backing for the Omoluabi tendency at the September monthly stakeholders meeting held in Ilesa, included Alhaji Najeem Adurolu, a PDP leader from Irepodun local government, over 70 new members from Osogbo local government including representatives from Fulani associations, women groups, community based movements, and members of the Ajegunle Spare Parts Dealers Association, Osogbo.
Others are members of the Governance Network across the local government areas in Osun, former APC and PDP members from Isokan LGA, Ward 09 PDP Women Leader in Ejigbo Local Government, Mrs Rebecca Ojo, over 100 mobilisers from Iwo and representatives of Igede community in the state.
They all expressed confidence and trust in the political tendency patroned by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, stressing that his legacy in human driven governance endeared them to the caucus.
“We believe in Aregbesola because he provided a leadership that met the yearning and aspirations of a just society.
“We cannot shy away from the good works of the political avatar. His governance and leadership style brought everybody together. He gave the people a reason to believe in government.
“We are committed to ensuring that Omoluabi births the next government of Osun. We will traverse the length and breadth of the state to attract more people. The people are with us and we know that when the time to vote comes, the people will tilt to our side,” the new members stated.
Addressing the gathering, former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola noted that the increasing membership of the caucus has shown that it is fully on ground.
The former Governor of Osun reassured members that the caucus is behind the people, encouraged them to continue to propagate its ideal of responsible leadership.
Aregbesola also harped the need for continued strengthening of the structure urging members to deliver the message of Omoluabi Caucus to the grassroots.
His words, “We had said it from inception that those who are not ready to stand with the Omoluabi ethos of character, integrity, competence, discipline and courage are not part of this struggle. The journey we are embarking on is not for the covetous but those ready to sacrifice for the entrenchment of good governance in Osun.
“It is the love for the masses that brought us here. We rejected the politics of selfishness. We are not going to renege on the promises we have made to the people or promise what we are not going to do.
“We are fully on ground. We are happy that the people have continued to identify with us. We are not associated with anything that will go against our aspirations. We are committed to you, and we will continue to fight your cause.
“If anybody approaches us, we will not chase them away, but we are never going to derail from the pledge we have made. We have no friend or foe,” Aregbesola stressed further.
In his remarks, Chairman, Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji said the tendency is focused on its resolve to return the progressives to power in Osun.
Adesiji, who emphasised the need for continuous mobilisation to strengthen the tendency in the local government areas across the state, pledged the readiness of his executives to continue to provide support for members across the state.
The Chairman explained that, “We are not here to work for any political tendency. We are working for ourselves. Omoluabi is here to make a positive change in the politics and governance of Osun. That is what are committed to.
“People are interested in joining from both APC and PDP. And that is what we are delighted about. We are accommodating and open to all who believe in our core values.
“We have evaluated the ongoing membership registration and noted your observations. We have also seen the efforts made during our ongoing local government tour. Be assured that we have seen where there are challenges and we are addressing them.”
In their separate words of admonition, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile, former APC State Secretary in Osun, and a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in the state, Architect Kunle Ige said it is important to further strengthen the caucus’s membership registration drive through relentless mobilisation.
The duo who harped on adherence to the Omoluabi ethos and the core values of competence and character urged them not to waver in their faith in the struggle to reclaim Osun in 2026.