Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has ruled out any alliance involving the party ahead of the August 15 governorship election. He emphasised that the ADC candidate, Najeem Folasayo Salaam, is in the race to win.
Aregbesola also rejected reports that the ADC had withdrawn from the election. He considered such claims as false and misleading.
He made the clarification on Sunday at a solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State, organised to mark Salaam’s 61st birthday and reaffirm support for his governorship bid.
The former governor said the ADC had no reason to abandon its electoral ambition, and that the party had developed a political structure capable of mounting a serious challenge in the poll.
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Aregbesola said, “The ADC is too strong and too well-positioned to negotiate away its political ambition or contemplate an alliance with any other political party.”
He added that the party had built its structure around progressive ideals and political traditions, it would enter the contest independently, according to him.
He said, “We have absolute faith in God and confidence in the support of the people. We are contesting this election to win.”
The declaration effectively places the ADC outside the ongoing speculation over possible realignments among political parties as the governorship contest approaches its final stretch.
Aregbesola also presented Salaam as a candidate whose personal attributes, rather than political calculations alone, should earn him the confidence of voters. He described the former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly as a man of integrity, humility, exemplary character, and compassion.
He said a Salaam administration would seek to restore confidence in democratic governance and revive progressive ideals in the management of the state.
Salaam, who received tributes from supporters, political associates, and community leaders at the event, expressed appreciation for the support extended to him throughout his political career.
He said the birthday rally held particular significance because it reflected the goodwill of people who had been committed to his political journey.
The ADC candidate also reaffirmed his commitment to the manifesto on which he is seeking the governorship. He said it is a solemn undertaking to the people of Osun.
Salaam implored voters to back the ADC at the August 15 poll, promising that, if elected, his administration would pursue inclusive governance and focus on policies intended to improve the welfare of residents.
The Ejigbo gathering drew ADC supporters, community leaders, political associates, and other well-wishers, who used the occasion to restate their backing for Salaam’s candidacy.
With Aregbesola’s declaration, the ADC has publicly sought to settle speculation about its participation in the election, which has now placed its emphasis instead on an independent campaign aimed at securing victory for Salaam.
