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๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Aregbesola Denies APC Return Rumors, Reaffirms Commitment to ADC

From The Punch · (23m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has denied rumors of his return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
  • Aregbesola stated his commitment to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the APC's abandonment of its core ideals.
  • He urged ADC members to mobilize for the upcoming 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the party's victory.

The political landscape in Osun State and indeed Nigeria is abuzz with speculation, but former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has unequivocally dismissed any notion of a return to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a crucial African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership and stakeholdersโ€™ meeting in Ilesa, Aregbesola reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the ADC, a party he believes truly represents the people-oriented ideals that the APC has long abandoned.

The APC has completely abandoned the foundational vision and people-oriented ideals upon which governance should stand.

โ€” Rauf AregbesolaExplaining his reasons for leaving the APC and his continued commitment to the ADC.

Aregbesolaโ€™s stance is a clear indictment of the current APC leadership, which he accuses of neglecting the fundamental principles of governance: welfare and security. His departure from the APC over three years ago was a principled stand, and he maintains that nothing has changed to warrant a reconsideration. This strong declaration from a prominent figure like Aregbesola is a significant boost for the ADC, signaling a determined effort to build a formidable opposition and challenge the status quo in the upcoming 2027 polls.

The primary essence of government remains welfare and security, both of which have been neglected and thrown into the dustbin.

โ€” Rauf AregbesolaCritiquing the APC's governance approach.

From our vantage point at The Punch, Aregbesola's public pronouncements carry considerable weight. His narrative of the APC abandoning its foundational vision resonates with many who feel disenfranchised. His call for intensified grassroots mobilization within the ADC is a strategic move, recognizing that electoral success hinges on robust party structures at the local level. The former Osun governor's prediction of a victorious outing for the ADC in 2027, while ambitious, reflects a growing confidence within the party, fueled by the commitment of key figures like Aregbesola.

Claims that he was planning a return to APC are baseless and laughable.

โ€” Rauf AregbesolaDismissing rumors about rejoining the APC.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.