The former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti, has officially withdrawn his loyalty to former governor Rauf Aregbesola and has also resigned from the African Democratic Congress, following rising speculation that the party intends to give its 2026 governorship ticket to former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam.
Adeoti, who previously served in Aregbesola’s administration, contested the 2018 governorship election under the African Democratic Party, where he secured 49,745 votes after leaving the All Progressives Congress toward the end of Aregbesola’s tenure.
He later rejoined the APC in 2020 during heightened political friction between Aregbesola and his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
In the 2022 governorship race, Adeoti became Aregbesola’s preferred choice, a development that unsettled members of The Osun Progressives.
His political path shifted once again when he, along with Salam, Senator Lere Oriolowo and others, was suspended from the APC on allegations of anti-party activities.
The group later formed the Omoluabi Progressives under Aregbesola’s influence before defecting to the ADC.
Leaders of the Omoluabi Progressives were said to have urged the ADC to zone its 2026 governorship ticket to Osun West, the district where both Adeoti and Salam come from.
However, over the weekend, signs emerged that the party had chosen Salam as its consensus candidate, a decision that triggered dissatisfaction among Adeoti and Senator Oriolowo, both of whom are from Iwo.
Responding to the development, Adeoti withdrew from Aregbesola’s camp, the ADC, and the Omoluabi Progressives, describing the move as difficult but necessary.
In a letter dated 30 November 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 departure marks another significant shift in the evolving political climate of Osun ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
He continued: “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.”
Adeoti added that his family had urged him to take a short break from political engagements.
“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 contacted, Adeoti confirmed the letter but declined to make any additional comments.
