Honourable Oluwole Busayo Oke, representing XC Federal Constituency, has described former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as a “bride” whose electoral value cannot be ignored.

In a Facebook post sighted by The Guardian, Oke urged the Osun State chapter of the PDP to consider “paying his dowry” and leveraging his influence to gain an advantage in the 2026 governorship election.

“Egbon Rauf ‘Soji Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and former Minister for Interior, is an enigma, a grassroots mobiliser, singer, and dancer. He is a factor and a bride in Osun politics, truth be told,” Oke wrote.

He suggested that if he were in Aregbesola’s position, he would seek reconciliation with President Bola Tinubu and key APC stakeholders like Gboyega Oyetola.

“PDP needs to act fast, pay the necessary dowry, and take in this bride. ‘Symbol,’ as he is popularly called, is not someone you allow to roam about.”

Oke emphasized Aregbesola’s continued political relevance, claiming he could still pull at least 20,000 votes in Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District and disrupt political calculations in the region.

Aregbesola and his faction, Omoluabi Progressives, recently exited the APC, signaling readiness to align with any party that shares his vision for the 2026 Osun governorship election.