Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed any possibility of forming an alliance with other groups or individuals ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.

Aregbesola made this declaration during a reception hosted in his honor by the Omoluabi Progressives, a political movement he established, on the occasion of his 68th birthday, celebrated in Osogbo on Sunday.

During his address, Aregbesola expressed optimism about his group’s prospects in the next election, stating, “By this time next year, we will all be close to Abere (Osun Governor’s Office). May God make it so.”

Addressing growing speculation about a potential coalition, he clarified the position of his faction.

“So, people are having untrue impression that we will align with anyone (in the governorship poll).
We are not going to align with anyone. We are going to pursue our political interest separately.
No alliance with anyone or group. By the grace of God, this group will win.
We will contest and we will win. The election that will follow that of next year….” he affirmed.

Aregbesola also reflected on the importance of honoring mothers during birthday celebrations, adding,
“Whenever you are celebrating birthday, during the celebration, always remember to pray for your mother.
The pains they endure during childbirth is enormous. So whether alive or late, birthday celebrations should be dedicated to prayers for mothers.”

He went on to express gratitude to the event’s organizers, saying, “I am happy for this honor. I pray for you all, may you continue to succeed in all your endeavors.”

Speaking earlier at the gathering, Moshood Adeoti, who served as Secretary to the State Government under Aregbesola, urged members of the Omoluabi Progressives to stay true to the movement’s founding principles.

Representing Governor Ademola Adeleke at the event, Biyi Odunlade praised Aregbesola’s enduring influence on governance in Osun.

“I celebrate you because you left a good template for good governance in Osun State that can not be faulted by anybody.
Your legacy of service is exemplary and remarkable, one that stands you out among your contemporaries,” he said.

The celebration was well attended by Aregbesola’s political allies from Lagos, members of the Omoluabi Progressives, and former state appointees.

The Nigerian Presidency has refuted a viral document circulating online that claimed President Bola Tinubu turned down an invitation for a working visit to the White House, citing domestic issues and challenges with presidential aircraft.

The statement, widely shared on social media, was branded fake and malicious by the Presidency on Sunday.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, publicly debunked the document through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

In his reaction, he condemned those behind the disinformation.

“Whoever you are, one day, the law will catch you,” Onanuga warned in a firm post, which included a screenshot of the fabricated document overlaid with the label “FAKE NEWS ALERT.”

The falsified release, appearing to be an official “State House Statement,” falsely claimed that President Tinubu declined a White House invitation, citing “critical domestic priorities” and “logistical constraints, including the unsustainability of presidential aircraft for long-distance travel.”

The bogus statement also falsely bore Onanuga’s name and title, portraying him as its author.

However, Onanuga categorically denied any connection to the release, stressing that it was entirely fabricated.

He clarified that no such invitation or response had been issued by either the Nigerian government or the U.S. administration.

According to the false memo, “the Nigerian government remains committed to fostering strong bilateral relations with the United States and looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration.”

The Presidency has urged the public to disregard the fake release and remain cautious of disinformation spread by what Onanuga described as “disinformation agents, hoax peddlers, fake news propagators, and clickbaiters.”

Senator Mudasiru Husain has criticized the coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Peter Obi, stating that no alliance founded on calumny can unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Husain, who represented Osun West Senatorial District in 2011, argued that the coalition is motivated by old grudges rather than genuine love, vision, or unity for Nigeria.

A statement from the senator, who is also a prominent 2026 Osun State governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized that the coalition’s stakeholders aim to destabilize Tinubu’s purposeful leadership, which is already reshaping Nigeria’s socio-economic trajectory.

He said, “But let’s be honest. What binds these individuals? Not vision. Not unity. Not even shared principles.”

“What they have in common is ambition, often personal, and in many cases, driven by old grudges. These are not the foundations of a credible alternative.”

“President Tinubu has far surpassed the influence of any force they can muster.”

“His political instincts, strategic depth, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s future place him far ahead of any challenge this coalition might present.”

Husain added, “I know this not just as a politician, but as someone whose journey was shaped under the progressive banner that Tinubu has championed for decades.”

“His mentorship, his selfless sacrifices, and his foresight laid the foundation for many of us who now have a voice in public service.

“I understand the desperation within the opposition ranks. Peter Obi’s insistence on running solely under the Labour Party already shows that unity is elusive. Meanwhile, defections continue from their camp into the APC, which speaks volumes about where true leadership lies.

“Let’s not forget President Tinubu’s achievements. In less than two years, he’s rebalanced Nigeria’s economic framework and is building bridges across ethnic and political divides”.

“People are taking note; even those who once stood against him are beginning to realign, embracing a new era of progressive politics.

“As I look ahead to 2027, I see a stronger, more unified Nigeria under President Tinubu’s leadership. The noise will rise, but it won’t shake the foundation we’ve built. Our focus remains steady, our values clear.”