Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, Aregbesola once an ally of Tinubu urged party members to bury personal interests and unite behind the ADC’s coalition efforts
By Titilope Adako
Former Minister of Interior and Interim Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has vowed that the party will unseat President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday, Aregbesola once an ally of Tinubu urged party members to bury personal interests and unite behind the ADC’s coalition efforts.
He said, “The ADC has garnered significant support from prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who are backing the party as a coalition movement platform aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the next election.
“Let us work together, let us put personal interests aside and let’s get united.
“It is that unity we want, we should remember that we have many elections ahead, we have the presidential, the National Assembly and state assembly elections.
“We still have time but with a big task. If we unite, we won’t be defeated in the elections. Unity is very paramount in this situation.”
Aregbesola also urged those yet to fully commit to the party to join now in a bid to rescue the nation.
Meanwhile, Prof. Pat Utomi, convener of Nigeria’s shadow government, declared support for the opposition coalition, warning against defection politics. He said, “Our democracy is suffering… They should work on how to govern, not just win elections.”
Utomi called for ideological focus, noting that Nigeria’s woes—economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance—required a serious alternative.
At the same Akure event, NNPP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Gbenga Edema, accused the APC of spreading propaganda to undermine the ADC-led coalition.
“Less than two weeks ago, the coalition adopted the ADC as the platform to drive its mission. Aregbesola’s briefing today clarified legal and political matters and reassured us,” Edema said.
Also speaking, Akin Akinbobola, a former aide to ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko, lamented the state of the nation, saying, “Nigeria is sinking… The hardship, hunger, insecurity and infrastructure collapse must be addressed.”
He noted that ten parties had already joined the coalition, describing the movement as “a large army” that will “sweep across the country like a tsunami.”
Meanwhile, ADC’s interim National Chairman, Senator David Mark, met with 37 state chairmen in Abuja to dispel fears of marginalisation.
Interim National Spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated: “We are here to work with them as partners to build a stronger political party.”
He dismissed ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu’s criticism of the coalition, insisting the process was constitutionally valid.
Kingsley Ogga, Chairman of the ADC Forum of State Chairmen, added that chairmen had been part of the process from the beginning. “There’s nobody that has come out to oppose the coalition,” he said.
Responding to the coalition’s challenge, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the threat posed by Atiku and Obi.
Speaking on Arise TV, he said, “Even if you merge Atiku and Obi, they cannot defeat a Tinubu-Shettima ticket. It is going to be impossible.”
Onanuga described the coalition as “jumping the gun,” stating, “Tinubu supports freedom of speech… He has nothing to do with ADC’s internal issues.”
He added that Tinubu’s achievements would speak for him, especially in the North, where he has made key appointments.
“Atiku has failed several times. Obi as running mate won’t deliver the votes. Tinubu is delivering benefits, and that will count when it matters,” Onanuga concluded.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
koikimedia Bringing the World 🌏Closer to Your Doorstep