Loyalists of the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, have raised the alarm over what they described as a sinister plot to eliminate him.

Speaking under the Aregbesola-endorsed Omoluabi Progressives, the group alleged that the former Minister of Interior had become the target of “assassination politics.”

“In recent weeks, we have witnessed a disturbing escalation of incendiary remarks, veiled threats, and direct state-backed actions targeting his person,” the group said in a statement signed by its spokesperson and Organising Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede.

Aregbesola has faced mounting criticism since accepting the position of secretary of the ADC-led opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.

Once a staunch loyalist of Tinubu, Aregbesola fell out with the President in 2022 following an internal crisis in the Osun APC. Many pro-Tinubu politicians have since branded him a betrayer.

Abosede alleged that there was now a coordinated attempt to eliminate the former governor because of his political independence.

The group cited a series of remarks and actions which they said pointed to a calculated plot.

Abosede said, “On July 23, 2025, Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, declared at a rally, ‘Ile o mú won’ (the land will consume them), a statement widely understood as a call for violence against Aregbesola.

“This was followed on August 2, when a veiled threat circulated on social media through the amplification of a post by journalist Mayor Akinpelu, endorsed by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, suggesting that Aregbesola would face dire consequences for his political independence.”

He added that the rhetoric worsened on August 14, when journalist Gbonka Ebiri openly branded Aregbesola a “sell-out” who must be “made an example of.”

“Such incitement to violence has no place in a civilised democracy,” Abosede stressed.

The group also accused security operatives of physical repression, pointing to the disruption of an ADC rally in Sagamu, Ogun State on August 14, where Aregbesola was billed to lead the campaign for the party’s House of Representatives bye-election candidate, Hon. Solomon Oluwaseyi Osho.

“The venue was vandalised, equipment seized, and Aregbesola himself was obstructed from accessing the event. The attempt by the police to downplay this incident only deepens public suspicion,” Abosede said.

He described the trend as “a coordinated pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and physical obstruction, which analysts have termed the anatomy of assassination politics.”

The group insisted that Aregbesola committed no crime by charting his independent political course.

“Those behind these plots must desist immediately. The safety, dignity, and political rights of Yoruba leaders must not be sacrificed on the altar of opportunism,” Abosede warned.

He further called on security agencies to ensure that “threats, intimidation, and violence do not desecrate democracy.”

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, speaking with Punch on the claim, stated that the command was unaware of any planned attack on the former minister.

“To the best of my knowledge, we have not gotten any report about that. I will confirm if there is anything like that,” Ojelabi said.