The former governor said he had remained faithful to his wife and invoked the decision while seeking divine favour for the ADC ahead of the 15 August election.
The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that he has never had sexual relations with another woman since marrying his wife, Sherifat, in 1983.
Speaking in Yoruba, the 69-year-old invoked his marital fidelity as an act motivated by his fear of God and prayed that, on that basis, the ADC would occupy the Osun Government House after the election.
“Since I got married to my wife, because of the fear of Allah, I have never had intimacy with another. I told God, if I did this because of you, next June, we must do it at the Government House,” he said.
Mr Aregbesola married Sherifat in 1983, two years after meeting her on Ibrahim Taiwo Road in Tudun-Wada, Kaduna. The couple have been married for about 43 years.
The declaration comes as Mr Aregbesola campaigns to return to the Osun Government House politically under a different platform. He governed the state from 2010 to 2018 and later served as Minister of Interior under the APC-led federal government before emerging as National Secretary of the ADC.
Mr Aregbesola added that not every man could make such a commitment. “Allah, if it is truly I am serving you and I did not add anything else to it, what I am about to say, only a few men can say.”
While celebrating his wife’s 60th birthday in 2020, Mr Aregbesola described her as a resourceful mother to their children and a worthy matriarch of the family.
He added that, over the years, his wife had been an angel who came into his life in 1981, whom he married in 1983, and whose love had remained total and unquenchable.
According to him, Sherifat was tailor-made for him, noting that the feeling was mutual and that she had been a worthy companion and source of support throughout his journey through life.
Mr Aregbesola said she had filled him with laughter and joy, adding that she was worth more to him than the entire world.
Mr Aregbesola further urged citizens to protect their votes at the rally, which coincided with the 61st birthday of the ADC governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam.
He added that Mr Salaam’s candidacy represents both the continuity the state needs and the renewal it deserves.
“Yesterday, we were in Ejigbo to celebrate the 61st birthday anniversary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam, alongside the people of Ejigbo, who came out en masse to receive us.
“I joined the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Mrs Temitope Agiri, and other leaders of our great party in encouraging our supporters and the good people of Ejigbo to come out in their numbers to exercise their democratic rights, vote for our candidate and, importantly, protect their votes”, he wrote on his X page.
Mr Aregbesola said the party’s candidate represents the true heirs of late Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive tradition, which promotes quality education, accessible healthcare, social welfare and opportunities for the masses.
The state governorship election is scheduled for 15 August, with Mr Salaam set to face Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who is seeking re-election, as well as Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other candidates.
