By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former Osun State Governor and African Democratic Congress National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, has rejected reports of an alliance between the ADC and other political parties ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Aregbesola also dismissed speculation that the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, would step down for another contender in the August 15 poll.
He spoke on Saturday at an ADC solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State, where he described reports of negotiations with other parties as unfounded.
The speculation followed reports that the ADC was in discussions with political actors over a possible alignment ahead of the election. It intensified after photographs of Aregbesola and Governor Ademola Adeleke circulated on social media.
But Aregbesola insisted that the ADC had not entered into an alliance with any political party.
“They said we are holding meeting with some people… We are not in alliance with any political party,” he said.
The former governor further argued that no political party had the financial capacity to purchase the ADC’s support base in Osun, maintaining that the party remained confident of its strength ahead of the poll.
“No political party can shoulder our responsibility. We are more in population than any other political party in Nigeria,” Aregbesola said.
He said the ADC had previously maintained political relationships with prominent figures but was willing to walk away when such relationships no longer served its interests.
“Assuming we were looking for money, we would not part ways with them. Nobody has the money to buy us. This election we would contest and win,” he added.
Aregbesola also rejected the suggestion that his political activities were driven by financial considerations, citing his previous public offices, including his tenure as governor of Osun and minister of interior.
He said the ADC was not financially dependent on other political organisations and would not pursue alliances simply for financial benefits.
“We are not poor but we don’t beg. We are not wealthy but we don’t beg. We at this stage will not be chasing after money,” he said.
According to the ADC national secretary, the party’s political objective was to serve the people and remain committed to its principles.
“How God will make us the saviour of the masses is our mission on earth,” Aregbesola said.
“Whoever you see with us is an honest person. We are here to serve society. That was the covenant between us and God when we were coming.”
Aregbesola’s comments come amid a series of political realignments in Osun ahead of Saturday’s election, with prominent political figures publicly declaring support for different candidates.
Former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore on Sunday announced their support for Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate in the election.
Oyinlola, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, said the decision was based on his belief that the state required a different direction.
“In this particular moment, Osun State requires a different direction. It is on this basis that we have resolved to officially declare our support for Mr Bola Oyebamiji,” Oyinlola said.
The competing endorsements have added to the political calculations surrounding Saturday’s election, with major parties and candidates seeking to consolidate support across the state as the campaign enters its final stage.
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