Rauf Aregbesola has denied reports that the African Democratic Congress is negotiating an alliance with another political party ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election, insisting that no party has the financial strength to buy the ADC’s support base. The former Osun governor and ADC national secretary spoke at a solidarity rally organised by the party […]
Rauf Aregbesola has denied reports that the African Democratic Congress is negotiating an alliance with another political party ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election, insisting that no party has the financial strength to buy the ADC’s support base.
The former Osun governor and ADC national secretary spoke at a solidarity rally organised by the party in Ejigbo, Osun State, as speculation over possible alliances intensified ahead of the August 15 poll.
Aregbesola also dismissed claims that the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, would withdraw from the race in favour of another candidate. The denial followed reports circulating on social media that the ADC and Accord Party were discussing an arrangement that could see them support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.
The speculation gained further attention after photographs of Adeleke and Aregbesola circulated on X. Aregbesola, however, insisted that the ADC was not in an alliance with any political party and said the party had no reason to abandon its own political platform ahead of the election.
He argued that the ADC had a substantial support base that could not be purchased by another party. Aregbesola said the party had previously worked with influential political figures but had chosen to leave when those relationships were no longer productive, stressing that the ADC would not remain in political arrangements simply for financial benefits.
The former governor also cited his political experience to reject the suggestion that money was driving his current political decisions. He referenced his eight years as a Lagos commissioner, eight years as governor of Osun and his period as Minister of Interior, saying his political career demonstrated that he was not motivated by the pursuit of wealth.
Aregbesola further maintained that the ADC was not a poor political organisation, but would not beg for money from political actors. He said the party was focused on its principles and would not chase financial rewards at the expense of its political mission.
According to him, the ADC’s mission is to serve the people and provide a political platform capable of representing the interests of the masses. His comments come at a time of significant political movement in Osun, with former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and ex-deputy governor Iyiola Omisore recently declaring support for APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
The endorsement of Oyebamiji has added to the political realignment taking place in the state ahead of Saturday’s election, while Aregbesola’s rejection of an alliance with other parties keeps the ADC’s position firmly in focus as the final stage of the campaign unfolds.