Aregbesola Seeks Unity Among ADC Members to Dislodge APC in 2027 Elections

•Mark, others parley states chairmen, assures of inclusion in party affairs

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Fidelis David in Akure

The Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has called on party members to unite in their efforts to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.

Aregbesola made the call at a meeting with party members in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

 The former governor of Osun State emphasised the need for party members to put aside their personal interests, differences and work towards a common goal of defeating the APC.

He noted that the ADC has garnered significant support from prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who were backing the party as a coalition movement platform aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the next election.

He said: “Let us work together, let us put personal interest 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.

“We have the national Assembly and state assemblies elections. We still have time but with big task. If we unite, we won’t be defeated in the elections. Unity is very paramount in this situation,” he said.

Also, candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in the 2024 Ondo State governorship election, Gbenga Edema, said the essence of the meeting was for Aregbesola to brief members of ADC in the state on affairs of the coalition.

“Less than two weeks ago,  the coalition decided to adopt the ADC, African Democratic Congress, as the party for which we are going to manage our affairs as a political party.

“So ever since then, we have not had the opportunity or the privilege of somebody at the level of the National to brief us. And you see that when he came, he gave us a lot of insight.”

A former Nigerian Premier League board member and Head of Media, Akin Akinbobola, said the coalition was on the right path, lamenting that Nigeria was sinking and there’s need to quickly salvage her from sinking.

“Our leader has spoken to us on the need for people of progressive minds, people of like minds, to come together and rescue this country from the titanic situation that we have found ourselves.

“Nigeria is sinking and we need to salvage Nigeria from sinking. The hardship, the hunger in the land, the insecurity, the collapse of almost every sector, based on lack of good security, lack of good infrastructures, lack of openness in governance,” he said.

In a related development, the interim leadership of the ADC, yesterday, met with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory chairman, and assured them of inclusion in the affairs of the coalition party.

The meeting walso dispelled speculations of internal disunity among the 37 chairmen of the coalition as well as building consensus

This reassurance was given during a strategic meeting at the Abuja residence of the interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark.

The meeting with the states and FCT chairmen was the first since the coalition party was announced forth night ago.

Speaking after the meeting, the interim National Spokesman, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party leadership remained committed to working hand-in-hand with the state structures.

“We invited all the state chairmen to reassure them that there is no intention to sideline anyone. We consider them partners in building a stronger and more inclusive political party,” Abdullahi stated.

He also addressed the recent remarks by the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, who questioned the legitimacy of the ongoing coalition and the new leadership.

“A presidential candidate is not an officer of the party. Our process is on solid legal ground. If anyone believes we have violated the constitution, we welcome legal scrutiny,” Abdullahi added.