Former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has a new nickname.

He is now labeled “Ijaya Gbogbo Osun” (the one to be feared in Osun).

Aregbesola’s new appellation comes from the streets.

It reportedly stems from a perceived panicked response to the surging popularity of his political group, Omoluabi Progressives, from major political parties in Osun State, including the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announced suspension of Aregbesola from the APC on October 29, 2024, is described as a direct response to the growing influence of the group he launched on August 22, 2023 —shortly after this, his supporters were sanctioned with suspensions and expulsions.

He set up the group to revamp his declined influence within the party.

Omoluabi Progressives has brought him back to the forefront of politics, with his suspension by the APC interpreted as an attempt to position the party as greater than Aregbesola.

The former two-term governor simply turned a deaf ear to the announced suspension, while his group overshadowed discussions around it by revealing plans for a “major move” next month.

This “counter” to the APC’s suspension has brought Aregbesola and his Omoluabi Progressives back into the spotlight.

“The trumpeting of Aregbesola as the Ijaya of Osun (one to be feared in Osun) emerged from this exchange, grounded in his past exploits,” insiders provide context.

Aregbesola grew the APC’s influence in Osun State but lost control of the political party in a fierce supremacy tussle with adversaries led by Gboyega Oyetola, Iyiola Omisore, and Ajibola Basiru.

While this escalating conflict cost Aregbesola his grip on the APC, it also condemned Oyetola—who succeeded him as governor of Osun State—to a single term in office.

Oyetola lost the Osun State 2022 gubernatorial election to Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Oyetola is now the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, with Ajibola Basiru, the APC’s national secretary and a former senator, leading efforts to reclaim power in Osun State.

Omisore, a former senator and ex-deputy governor of the state, remains a quiet yet influential figure behind this agenda.

Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister for Interior, and his Omoluabi Progressives have also declared their intent to produce the next governor of Osun State in 2026.

However, as Omoluabi Progressives is not a political party, there are speculations about a possible collaboration with an existing party.

Insiders confirm that Governor Ademola Adeleke is also keen to retain his position for a second term on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.