Osun 2026: Mallam Rasheed Olawale’s Cack-Handed Attack On Aregbesola Like A Bull At The Gate

As Osun State’s political climate is clouded with uncertainty, a recent ebullition by Mallam Rasheed Olawale the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke has added unnecessary fuel to the already volatile mix. In a statement personally signed and widely circulated to the media on Monday, Mallam Rasheed launched a scathing and poorly calculated attack on former governor Rauf Aregbesola.

To many, this attack was unprovoked, excessive, and completely out of touch with the political realities on ground. It was the kind of reckless move that draws more questions than answers, not just about Mallam Rasheed’s judgment, but also about his intentions.
What makes the attack even more curious is the political history between the two camps. In the buildup to the 2022 governorship election, several political observers noted that some Aregbesola’s loyalists, estranged from the mainstream APC, quietly supported Adeleke’s candidacy and some openly did. It is even rumored that Aregbesola helped bridge certain gaps at the federal level that made Adeleke’s eventual victory smoother than anticipated.

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Now, just two years later, the Adeleke camp, through Mallam Rasheed seems to be biting the very hand that may have once helped feed it. A move that justify the claim of some observer within the APC had tagged the Adelekes as betrayal who are notorious of not honouring gentlemen agreement and always turn their back on people that has helped them in achieving their political ambition.

A possible explanation lies in recent whispers that Governor Adeleke may be considering a defection from the PDP to APC, Mallam Rasheed’s attack on Aregbesola one of the leading figure in the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) the new emerging national adopted coalition party who is seen as the new threat, whom some analyst has said the President may not survive an opposition in Rauf and Adeleke in Osun come 2027, hence call to align with Governor Adeleke.

Aregbesola remains a force to reckon with as far as Osun politics is concern. His new political base within the ADC has grown stronger, drawing in those disillusioned by both the PDP and the old-guard APC. Mallam Rasheed should know that you don’t attack a political heavyweight without weighing the consequences, especially one who could still hold the keys to crucial grassroots networks and potential future alignment.

More importantly, Mallam seems to have ignored a fundamental lesson in politics: Today’s opponent can be tomorrow’s ally. Political survival in Nigeria often requires uncomfortable partnerships and pragmatic deals. Throwing stones in all directions may make headlines, but it weakens your options when the chips are down.

Governor Adeleke does not need this kind of Mallam’s energy around him at this moment. He does not need loud-mouthed, reactionary, and a few cards shy of a full deck personality around him. This is a period for sober reflection in the Governors camp. He is currently trying to carefully negotiate his alliance with the APC, gain acceptance among the local APC structure, and engage key PDP stakeholders to possibly defect with him and convince his supporters to move with him in his new party. What is needed now is calm calculation, not Mallam Rasheed’s unnecessary outbursts.

It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Mallam Rasheed has lashed out at perceived political threats. Until recently, his preferred punching bag was former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, whom he accused of underperformance, abandoned projects and called various unprintable names. But just as Oyetola appears to be fading and they need his support for the proposed alliance with the APC, Aregbesola has suddenly become the new target. This shift raises more questions than it answers.

Is Rasheed merely posturing trying to show workings? Or is he overcompensating in an attempt to prove his loyalty to Governor Adeleke and impress the APC? Either way, it reeks of political overzealousness, the kind often seen in young aides known as ‘Data boys’ trying too hard to please their principals.

This is not a blanket endorsement of Aregbesola or his policies. His tenure as governor had both shining moments and deep controversies. Some of his initiatives remain contentious to date. The half salary debacle and so many of his unpopular policies. But political maturity demands a measure of tact, even when criticism is warranted. Rasheed’s unfiltered attack lacked such tact, and that’s a disservice to his principal who might need collaborations with Ogbeni in the nearest future.

When a spokesperson speaks, they are not just airing personal opinions. They are representing the weight and voice of the office they serve. Unfortunately, in this case, Mallam Rasheed’s tone came off as vindictive and erratic like he has personal axe to grind with Ogbeni Rauf, traits not known with a jovial and decent governor like Governor Adeleke.

Even more worrying is the strategic cost of such attacks. As the 2026 governorship race approaches, coalition-building will be essential Mallam’s reckless rhetoric could end up alienating key figures like Aregbesola and his sympathisers whose support or even neutrality might be needed. Already, some within the PDP are grumbling about the direction of the Governor to APC, while some are already flirting with alternatives like the ADC.

Rather than escalating tensions, Mallam Olawale Rasheed ought to be focusing on strengthening the governor’s political capital, projecting his principal’s image, showcasing his performances. If Mallam spends his whole time attacking anyone and everyone, then his words will soon lose their weight. People will begin to see him not as a principled communicator, but as a political attack dog with no clear focus.

The Adeleke camp will need every ounce of goodwill it can muster. The 2026 campaign trail will be brutal. Voters will demand answers, the opposition will throw jabs, and questions around performance, transparency, and governance will flood the public space. That is when Mallam Rasheed’s voice will matter most not now, when his loud words only cause more harms than good.

In politics, timing is everything. There’s a time to speak and a time to strategize in silence. Mallam Rasheed has chosen noise over nuance. Governor Adeleke cannot afford to make enemies of potential allies. Nor can he be seen as an aggressor in a time when political unity is key. Rasheed’s attack on Aregbesola may win him a few claps from partisans corners, but it will lose him far more in strategic capital and Mallam must remember in politics, you never burn a bridge unless you’re sure you’ll never need to cross it again.

Femi Adesola
Writes from Osogbo
adesolafemigab@gmail.com