The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to comments made by Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), regarding the opposition party’s intentions to take over Aso Rock and the Lagos State government in 2027. Aregbesola, a former Osun State Governor, made these remarks during a political gathering in Lagos, where he received Moshood Salvador, leader of the Labour Party’s Conscience Forum, who formally joined the ADC fold in Lagos.
The APC’s reaction came in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, on Sunday. Oladejo noted that Aregbesola, once a prominent figure in the APC, has now joined a “mushroom opposition party.” The statement highlighted Aregbesola’s past roles in the APC, including his tenure as Lagos Commissioner, Osun Governor, and Minister, emphasizing that he had “ate, dined, and thrived” on the APC’s platform.
The APC spokesperson expressed skepticism about the ADC’s chances of success with Aregbesola at the forefront, stating that if the opposition party believes he is the key to electoral victory, “then they are preparing for a funeral, not a victory.” Oladejo added that Aregbesola’s comments are more of a “public obituary of his own political relevance” than a threat to the APC. By distancing himself from the APC, Aregbesola has allegedly “written himself out of history and into the footnotes of infamy.”
The APC’s statement further emphasized that the ADC’s decision to bet its future on Aregbesola would lead to ridicule rather than success. The party’s spokesperson concluded that the only “takeover” awaiting the ADC in 2027 would be a takeover by ridicule, implying that Aregbesola’s involvement would ultimately prove detrimental to the opposition party’s chances.
The exchange highlights the ongoing rivalry between the APC and the ADC, with the former seeking to maintain its stronghold on power and the latter attempting to gain traction in the political landscape. As the 2027 elections approach, the dynamics between these parties will likely continue to unfold, with each side seeking to outmaneuver the other in the quest for political dominance.