By Our Correspondent
Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has firmly rejected speculation that he is planning a return to the All Progressives Congress, describing such claims as unfounded.
Speaking on Sunday at an ADC stakeholders’ meeting held in Ilesa, Osun State, Aregbesola said he has not looked back since leaving the APC more than three years ago and sees no reason to do so now. The event drew party faithful from all 332 wards across the state.
Aregbesola used the gathering to present Dr Najeem Salaam as the ADC governorship candidate for the Osun August 15 election. He urged party members to return to their wards and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the poll.
Addressing the defection rumours directly, Aregbesola said the APC has abandoned the core principles of governance, particularly the welfare and security of citizens. He argued that the party has thrown these essentials “into the dustbin,” making any return unthinkable for him.
He also expressed confidence in the ADC’s growth despite what he described as efforts by entrenched political powers to frustrate the party. He predicted a strong outing for the ADC in the 2027 general elections and called for greater dedication from members.
Aregbesola’s political group, the Omoluabi Progressives, had previously announced its exit from the APC following a meeting of stakeholders across Osun State. The group cited ostracism, unfair suspensions, expulsions without proper hearing, and neglect within the APC structure as reasons for leaving. It also expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of internal crises, which it blamed for the APC’s poor performance in the last election cycle.
Discussion about this post