- Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola claims he holds the record as the first state governor in Nigeria’s history to complete an eight-year tenure without owning a personal house in the state.
- Addressing political supporters in a viral video, Aregbesola revealed that throughout his two terms as governor, he depended entirely on the hospitality of a close friend and lived in his friend’s private residence.
- The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Secretary openly challenged political opponents and critics to produce evidence of any personal residential property registered under his name during his eight years in office.
Former Governor of Osun State and immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has asserted that he holds a unique record as the first state executive in Nigeria’s democratic history to complete two full terms in office without owning a personal house in the state he governed.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Aregbesola, who currently serves as the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the disclosure while addressing a gathering of political supporters and party faithful in a video that circulated widely across digital media platforms.
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Reflecting on his lifestyle and financial disposition during his tenure as Osun State chief executive between November 2010 and November 2018, the former governor stated that rather than acquiring personal real estate or luxury homes using state resources, he depended entirely on the hospitality of a close friend, residing in the friend’s house throughout his eight-year administration in the state capital.
Addressing the crowd in the trending broadcast, Aregbesola challenged political opponents, analysts, and members of the public who doubted his assertion to present evidence of any residential property registered under his name during his time as governor.
“I’m the first governor in Nigeria to rule a state for eight years without owning a house of my own. I stayed in my friend’s house for eight years as a governor in my father’s land. Whoever says that what I’m saying is not true should come out and show me the house I own.”
— Rauf Aregbesola, Former Governor of Osun State & ADC National Secretary
Aregbesola’s comments come at a period of heightened public interest in governance standards, executive accountability, and personal asset declarations among political officeholders across the nation.
By inviting open scrutiny regarding his housing record, the former minister sought to underscore his long-held philosophy of modest living and dedication to public welfare over private enrichment.
Before serving as governor of Osun State, Aregbesola maintained a prominent role in Lagos State governance, serving for eight years as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under the administration of then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Following the completion of his second term in Osun State in November 2018, he was subsequently appointed as the Minister of Interior by former President Muhammadu Buhari, serving in the cabinet from August 2019 to May 2023.
Discussing his socio-economic legacy in Osun State, Aregbesola highlighted several flagship social intervention programs initiated under his leadership, including the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), public school infrastructure overhaul, rural health center expansion, and agricultural revitalization.
He insisted that his primary focus during his eight years in office remained centered on human capital development and infrastructural renewal rather than personal enrichment or property accumulation.
The former governor’s remarks have sparked widespread commentary across social media platforms and political circles.
