Aregbesola dismisses APC return insinuations

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has reaffirmed his commitment to the party and dismissed insinuations that he has returned to his erstwhile party, the All Progressives Congress. The ex-Osun State governor made the disclosure in Ilesa, Osun State, on Sunday at the ADC leadership and stakeholders’ meeting which drew participants from across the 332 wards in the state. A statement signed by the Osun ADC publicity secretary-elect, Oluwaseun Abosede, obtained in Osogbo, said Aregbesola, at the meeting, also presented the governorship candidate of the party in the Osun August 15 poll, Dr Najeem Salaam, to members. Speaking further at the meeting, Aregbesola described claims that he was planning a return to APC “as baseless and laughable,” stressing that since his “exit from the APC over three years ago,” he has had “no reason whatsoever to look back.” He added, “The APC has completely abandoned the foundational vision and people-oriented ideals upon which governance should stand. The primary essence of government remains welfare and security, both of which have been neglected and thrown into the dustbin.” He reaffirmed his commitment to the ADC, stating that despite numerous attempts by entrenched powers to frustrate the party, it has witnessed steady growth and recorded significant victories. • INEC deadline: Opposition parties rush to submit membership registers • Tinubu, govs, Akande hail Fasoranti at 100 • 2027: Southern, M’Belt leaders reject power shift to North He charged ADC members and stakeholders to return to their respective wards and intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts in preparation for the task ahead. He also predicted a victorious outing for the ADC in the 2027 polls and called for more dedication to the party’s course by the members. The PUNCH reports that the Omoluabi Progressives, a political group led by Aregbesola, a two-term governor of Osun State, had announced its exit from the APC. In a statement signed by the group’s Organising and Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, and obtained in Osogbo, the resolution to leave the APC was said to have been reached by stakeholders across the 332 wards in the state during the group’s monthly meeting held in Ilesa. The statement cited several reasons for the decision, including allegations of ostracism, suspension, and expulsion of members without fair hearing, as well as the perceived neglect and denigration of the group within the APC structure. Abosede further noted dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of internal crises, which the group claimed contributed to the APC’s poor performance in the last election cycle.