Former Osun State governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed speculations that he is planning to return to the All Progressives Congress, declaring that he has no reason to rejoin the ruling party.
Aregbesola spoke on Sunday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the ADC held in Ilesa, Osun State.
The former Minister of Interior accused the APC-led Federal Government of worsening the living conditions of Nigerians, saying the party had abandoned the ideals upon which it was founded.
He said despite intimidation and political pressure, members of the ADC had remained steadfast and committed to the party’s vision.
“I am not planning to return to the APC. Such claims exist only in the imagination of those spreading them. I have no reason to go back,” Aregbesola said.
According to him, the current leadership of the APC has failed to uphold the core responsibilities of governance, particularly in the areas of welfare and security.
“The handlers of the party at the national level have derailed from the original vision and mission on which we built the APC. Nigerians are facing untold hardship and economic difficulties,” he added.
The ADC chieftain urged residents of Osun State to continue supporting the party, describing it as a credible alternative capable of restoring good governance.
He also canvassed support for the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Aregbesola described Salaam as a loyal and committed politician with the capacity to reposition Osun and restore development strides allegedly lost since 2018.
Speaking at the meeting, Salaam called on party members to remain united and vigilant ahead of the election.
He promised that an ADC administration would focus on job creation, poverty reduction, affordable housing and improved governance if elected.
Also addressing stakeholders, the Osun ADC Chairman-elect, Azeez Adesiji, said the party remained united despite political challenges confronting it.
Adesiji expressed confidence that the ADC would emerge victorious in the forthcoming governorship election through unity, mobilisation and grassroots support.
He disclosed that the party would commence statewide campaigns within one week, with rallies planned across all local government areas and federal constituencies in the state.
The ADC stakeholders at the meeting also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the party’s success in the August 15 governorship poll in Osun State.
0 Comments