Tinubu-Aregbesola Rift: ‘They Still Have Deep Affection for Each Other’ — Adeyeye

ABUJA — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Sola Adeyeye, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, have met about three times since their political relationship deteriorated.

Adeyeye, who is the Director of Electioneering Planning of the APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council in the South-West, said efforts were ongoing to reconcile the two former political allies, expressing optimism that their relationship could eventually be restored.

The former senator made the disclosure in an interview published by The Punch on Sunday, November 15, 2026.

According to him, Tinubu and Aregbesola had enjoyed a close personal and political relationship before their disagreement, making the breakdown of their relationship particularly painful.

“I know that they’ve met about three times since the rift between them started,” Adeyeye said.

He added that the two men must take responsibility for resolving their differences, although he remained hopeful that reconciliation was possible.

Adeyeye, however, declined to disclose further details about the meetings or the circumstances surrounding the former allies’ disagreements.

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He said he did not know exactly what went wrong between Tinubu and Aregbesola, but maintained that both men had previously shared a strong personal bond.

“Honestly, I don’t know. They both liked each other. I just pray that the time will come when they will be together again. That’s my prayer,” he said.

When asked about his efforts to reconcile them, the APC chieftain replied that he had done everything expected of him but would not reveal further details.

He also dismissed suggestions that a conspiracy might be frustrating the reconciliation process, saying the responsibility ultimately rested with Tinubu and Aregbesola.

According to Adeyeye, disagreements between close friends can produce deeper emotional wounds, but he believes time could help heal their differences.

The political disagreement between Tinubu and Aregbesola has attracted considerable attention within the APC, particularly in Osun State, where their political camps have remained divided.

Aregbesola, who served as Osun governor from 2010 to 2018 and later as Minister of Interior, was previously a key political ally of Tinubu. Their relationship subsequently deteriorated amid disagreements over the control and leadership of the APC in Osun.

Adeyeye’s disclosure of three meetings between the two politicians offers a fresh indication that communication has continued despite their publicly known political differences. However, he did not disclose when the meetings took place or whether they produced any concrete agreement.

The professor also discussed efforts to bring other influential South-West politicians into the APC’s 2027 re-election campaign.

He disclosed that he met former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday, November 4, and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi the following day.

Adeyeye described Fayemi as a brilliant politician and said personal disagreements should not overshadow the larger political contest ahead.

He expressed confidence that the APC would work towards securing victory in the January 16, 2027 election, stressing the importance of defending the party’s right to seek the people’s mandate through a free and fair electoral process.

The APC chieftain also defended Tinubu’s political strategy, including his adoption of a broad-based coalition involving politicians from different backgrounds, arguing that building alliances was necessary to win elections and form a government.

He maintained that political differences should not prevent politicians from working together when they share common objectives.