OSUN – The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, used a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilesa on Sunday to refute rumours that he is planning to re‑join the All Progressives Congress (APC). Aregbesola – a former two‑term governor of Osun State – said the speculation is “a figment of imagination” and affirmed his commitment to the ADC as the party’s platform for a credible alternative to the ruling coalition.
Addressing party faithful, Aregbesola warned that the APC‑led federal government has “worsened the living conditions of Nigerians,” creating hardship and an “economic quagmire” for many. He urged Osun residents to stay behind the ADC, which he described as “growing in leaps and bounds” despite harassment from political opponents.
“I have no reason to join the APC again,” Aregbesola told the gathering. “The current handlers have derailed from the vision and mission statement on which we built the party. Those in charge at the national level have failed to uphold the basic principles of government – the welfare and security of the people.” He praised the party’s resilience, adding that victory “is ours by God’s grace.”
The party’s governorship candidate, Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam Iwaloye, also addressed the crowd, pledging to create jobs, tackle poverty, provide affordable housing and rectify the governance failures of the past seven and a half years if elected. “Our candidate is a man of the people, loyal, committed and deeply desirous of returning our state to the pedestal of development we left in 2018,” Aregbesola said, urging support for Salaam.
Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, the newly elected ADC chairman for Osun, congratulated the party’s fresh ward, local‑government and state executives, calling their appointments “a privilege and a call to service.” He emphasized that the ADC remains “fully constituted and united” at both state and federal levels despite the political challenges ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Adesiji predicted a hard‑fought campaign, stating that the party would launch a statewide drive within a week, covering all local government areas, holding rallies across the nine federal constituencies and culminating in two mega‑rallies in Ile‑Ife and Osogbo. “We have God behind us, we have the pedigree, we have done it before and God will make it happen again,” he declared, expressing confidence that Dr Salaam will win on August 15.
The meeting concluded with thanks to the ADC’s apex leadership and grassroots members for their patience and cooperation. Stakeholders reiterated their commitment to securing the party’s success in the upcoming governorship contest, positioning the ADC as a viable alternative to the incumbent APC in Osun State.
