The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has conveyed a sense of optimism regarding the party’s future in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Nevertheless, the ADC has welcomed several prominent political figures into its ranks.
Aregbesola made these remarks during a ceremony where Moshood Salvador, a former close associate of President Bola Tinubu and leader of the Conscience Forum, joined the ADC along with thousands of his group’s members.
The former governor of Osun State, who acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians are enduring under the current All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, expressed concern over the escalating cost of living. He asserted, however, that the ADC is determined to unseat President Bola Tinubu and to secure the governorship of Lagos State in 2027.
He stated, “I am pleased to be part of this gathering. I am also delighted to welcome you into the ADC. We are the only ones capable of making it challenging for anyone to take over wherever we are.
“With our determination, it will not be difficult at all to seize the seat of power. It’s a straightforward strategy of one acquiring 10, and each of those 10 will also acquire 10. Its execution is 10 over 10.
“Once we can accomplish this, that will be the conclusion of it. We will undoubtedly convene at the Aso Rock Villa and produce the next President of the nation. Once again, I am pleased to be here, and we must remain steadfast in our efforts to transform Nigeria.”
Salvador, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State and a former member of the House of Representatives, cited the internal crisis within the Labour Party (LP) as a motivating factor for his decision to join the ADC. He committed that the group’s over 400,000 members in Lagos State would defect and register with the ADC, asserting that this is a pathway forward for the nation.
Rahman Owokoniran, a former lawmaker and commissioner in Lagos State, who also transitioned to the ADC from the PDP, remarked that the party is poised to liberate Nigeria from its governance challenges.
In the meantime, the Lagos State branch of the APC has rejected Aregbesola’s claim that the ADC will “seize Aso Rock and the Lagos Government House” in 2027, labeling it as a hollow boast that was met with both laughter and sympathy.
Seye Oladejo, the spokesperson for Lagos APC, addressed the matter yesterday, characterizing Aregbesola’s criticism of the APC as an act of undermining his own credentials, asserting that with each assault on the APC, he is eroding the very foundation of his professional career.
