Key Takeaways
- Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun State governor and ADC National Secretary, says he has remained faithful to his wife since marriage.
- He made the disclosure at an ADC rally in Ejigbo Local Government Area.
- Aregbesola cited fear of God as the reason for his fidelity.
- The remarks came ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election.
Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made a rare personal confession on the campaign trail, telling supporters he has never been intimate with another woman since marrying his wife, Sherifat. He spoke in Yoruba at an ADC rally in Ejigbo Local Government Area ahead of the Osun governorship election.
Aregbesola framed his marital fidelity as a reflection of his fear of God and a private commitment he made while pursuing political goals. He said he had turned his faithfulness into a personal test while seeking divine intervention in his political ambitions.
He declared: "Because of your fear, I never had any intimacy with another woman since I married my wife." He added: "I told God that next June, we must do it at the government house."
A Personal Test Before God
According to Aregbesola, remaining faithful was not only a marital obligation but a spiritual discipline connected to his public life. His fidelity, he suggested, became part of a larger conversation with God about his political future.
Aregbesola served as Osun governor between 2010 and 2018 and is now the ADC's national secretary. He appeared at the rally to support the party's candidate, Najeem Folasayo Salaam, who hopes to unseat Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party. His presence underscored the ADC's growing campaign presence in Osun State.
Election Context
The All Progressives Congress has fielded Bola Oyebamiji. Governor Adeleke is seeking re-election under the Accord Party, and Salaam is the ADC candidate, making the race a three-party contest.
The ADC has intensified its campaign across Osun State as the election approaches. The party is working to position Salaam as a credible alternative to the incumbent administration. Gatherings like the Ejigbo rally are part of a broader push to reshape the political landscape.
By weaving his personal testimony into the political rally, Aregbesola sought to present himself as a leader rooted in faith and family values.
Why This Matters
Aregbesola's personal disclosure highlights the role of faith and moral appeal in the Osun campaign. With a competitive three-party race ahead, such messages may resonate strongly with religious voters.