Aregbesola’s Lagos Loyalists Switch Allegiance, Back New Power Blocs

By Adamu Aliyu Aliyu/ABUJA//

Insiders say many supporters of former minister Rauf Aregbesola in Lagos State have switched camps, particularly in his political base of Alimosho.

They are now aligning with two emerging leaders in the area — Bisi Yusuf and Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

Yusuf, the pioneer Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Government Area, is a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly from Alimosho Constituency 1.

Orelope-Adefulire, a former Deputy Governor and Commissioner in Lagos, also served as the Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals.

Both had operated for years under Aregbesola’s political umbrella — until recently.

They are now backed by higher-ups to take control of things in Alimosho,” said one party source familiar with the development.

Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State, was once the undisputed political godfather of Alimosho and other key areas in Lagos.

His influence stemmed from his years as Lagos State Commissioner for Works and his well-known closeness to President Bola Tinubu.

He retained Tinubu’s backing throughout his tenure as Osun Governor from 2010 to 2018, further consolidating his grip on Lagos politics by securing political appointments and opportunities for his loyalists.

“Even after things soured between him and Tinubu while he was serving as a Minister, he still managed to maintain some control based on his pedigree and past network,” another source added.

However, his eventual exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) — triggered by political fallout in Osun and failed reconciliation moves — dried up the resources and access he needed to sustain his political structure, both in Alimosho and beyond.

“Once Tinubu loyalists began actively sidelining Aregbesola’s men across Lagos, it became clear that those who didn’t align with the new order would be left behind,” said another insider in the Alimosho political circuit.

The breaking point reportedly came during the APC local government primary election held on Saturday, May 10. Party insiders say the exercise was designed to dismantle Aregbesola’s remaining influence, as none of his loyalists secured re-election tickets, nor were fresh aspirants among them able to emerge as flag bearers.

“To save their political careers, many of them started switching camps. Some had already begun making moves before the primaries, but the outcome made the need more urgent — especially for those still hesitant,” the source explained.