ADC not in alliance with any party, will contest Osun poll — Aregbesola

Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed reports that the party is negotiating an alliance with any political party ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Aregbesola spoke on Monday at an ADC solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State, where he also rejected speculation that the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, would step down for another candidate.

He said the ADC was not in talks with any political party, despite reports of a possible alliance with the Accord Party to support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid.

“No political party can shoulder our responsibility. We are more in population than any other political party in Nigeria,” Aregbesola said.

The former minister of interior also dismissed suggestions that financial considerations could influence the party’s decision, saying no political party had the resources to buy the ADC’s support base in Osun.

He said the ADC had previously maintained relationships with influential political figures but was willing to walk away when such relationships no longer served its interests.

Aregbesola, who served as a commissioner in Lagos State, governor of Osun State and minister of interior, said his political career was not driven by financial considerations. He added that the ADC was neither wealthy nor interested in begging for money.

He said the party remained focused on serving the people and would contest the August 15 election with the aim of winning, amid growing political realignment in Osun ahead of the poll.