Hobnob News — Former Minister of Interior and interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has advised supporters of the party to uphold decorum and avoid confrontations as the political movement gains traction nationwide.
Aregbesola, who returned to Lagos on Friday after the formal launch of the ADC in Abuja, was warmly received by party members and supporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He used the occasion to emphasize issue-based advocacy as a cornerstone of the ADC’s political strategy.
In a statement shared on his official social media platforms, the former Osun State governor expressed gratitude to the crowd that came out to welcome him, while underscoring the importance of mature political engagement.
“The task before us is immense,” Aregbesola stated. “We do not need to fight, insult, or attack anyone. When others resort to abuse or name-calling, we must rise above it.”
He urged ADC members to remain focused and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with facts, particularly concerning the economic and social hardships currently faced by Nigerians.
“Ask them one simple question: Are Nigerians better off today than they were before?” he said. “Challenge them with facts on food inflation, the economy, the rising cost of living, and the deepening poverty affecting millions.”
Aregbesola emphasized that the party’s strength lies in articulating a clear vision and offering Nigerians a credible, values-driven alternative.
“Let our debates remain focused on the issues that matter. Explain why our new political home, the ADC, represents a credible and necessary alternative for Nigeria’s progress and long-term sustainability,” he added.
A former commissioner under President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor, Aregbesola’s political journey has been closely linked to the APC. However, their alliance fractured in 2022 during the Osun gubernatorial election cycle.
The rift emerged when Aregbesola’s political movement, known as the Omoluabi Caucus, withheld support for then-Governor Gboyega Oyetola, a nephew of Tinubu, who sought re-election on the APC platform. Aregbesola’s group instead backed opposition candidate Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who eventually defeated Oyetola at the polls.
With the launch of the ADC’s renewed political agenda and Aregbesola’s leadership role, the party aims to position itself as a viable challenger to the APC and other dominant parties in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
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