2027: Aregbesola Rallies Support, Challenges Tinubu in Lagos

The crowd was not as intimidating as the usual Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Lagos crowd. It was an indication that Aregbesola is now more of a political isolate in Lagos, a place where he once wielded tremendous influence. Yet, his message at the gathering was clear: he wants to challenge the continued dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Aregbesola, who is the immediate past Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun State, was until his expulsion from the APC in January this year, a key figure in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political dynasty in Lagos. Following his sack, he pitched his tent with the coalition platform, African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose mission is to unseat Tinubu and the APC from power in 2027.

As the ADC’s National Secretary and its most prominent figure in the South-West, Aregbesola now bears the responsibility of galvanising support for his new party across the zone.

Apart from two or three individuals, there were no notable figures from the Lagos political scene at the gathering. Still, Aregbesola made it clear that he was in Lagos to spearhead a membership drive aimed at positioning the ADC for success in the 2027 elections.

The ADC National Secretary, who accused major parties, including the APC, of failing Nigerians, said “everybody for now should concentrate on mass mobilisation. Party membership cards will be available soon.”

In what appeared to sound like mocking his illustrious past, Aregbesola further said “I am urging you to go out and spread the gospel of the ADC to all Nigerians, particularly those living in your local government areas. Tell them that a new vista of hope and opportunity now awaits them in our party as we promise a new deal that would see to it that our dear country, Nigeria, is reset to the path of development and progress.

“I want you all to sensitise Nigerians on the need to join ADC and use the ADC platform to remove the failed APC government. Having said that, I am also urging you, as well as all other categories of Nigerians, to vote and protect their votes by follow-up vigilance.”

In a swift reaction, the Lagos APC described Aregbesola’s outing in Lagos as a betrayal of trust, saying as someone who served in the immediate past government and was part of the APC until recently, he should take responsibility for his own role in governance, and stop the attempt to rewrite history by distancing himself from the ruling party in Lagos and Nigeria for what it called “cheap political relevance.”

Speaking through its spokesman, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, the party noted that “Ogbeni Aregbesola, who once served under the APC-led Federal Government, attempted to cast aspersions on the same platform that gave him national prominence, alleging that the APC, alongside other major political parties, has failed Nigerians. He went further to campaign for the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Let it be known that the APC in Lagos views Aregbesola’s comments as not only disappointing but also a betrayal of trust and values he once professed under our party. His utterances reek of political desperation and opportunism, masquerading under the guise of a ‘new deal’ that lacks substance, structure, or credibility.

“It is ironic that a man who enjoyed the goodwill and political platform of the APC for over two decades-from his days as Commissioner in Lagos to becoming Governor of Osun State and later a Federal Minister-can now publicly denounce the same party. If APC has failed, then Ogbeni Aregbesola must take responsibility for his own role in governance, rather than seeking to rewrite history and distance himself for cheap political relevance. The so-called ‘new deal’ offered by the ADC is nothing more than recycled rhetoric. Nigerians are not swayed by fanfare or emotional songs at political rallies. The electorate is more discerning today and will not entrust the future of this country to a party without a proven track

“Lagos remains a shining example of progressive governance under the APC. While individuals are free to pursue their political ambitions, it is expected that they do so with integrity and decorum. Lagos APC is not threatened by theatrics or sudden political conversions. However, we remind Aregbesola and his allies that politics without loyalty and gratitude is a dangerous path that leads to irrelevance. The APC in Lagos remains united, focused, and determined to continue delivering dividends of democracy to our people. We welcome constructive criticism, but we reject outright falsehoods and political showmanship aimed at misleading the public. While we recognise the right of every Nigerian to join any political party of their choice, we urge the public to be wary of those who jump ship only when their personal ambitions are no longer served, and who now pretend to offer solutions to problems they helped create. We remain committed to building a greater Lagos and a stronger Nigeria,” the party added. record, solid ideology, or cohesive leadership.

“Lagos remains a shining example of progressive governance under the APC. While individuals are free to pursue their political ambitions, it is expected that they do so with integrity and decorum. Lagos APC is not threatened by theatrics or sudden political conversions. However, we remind Aregbesola and his allies that politics without loyalty and gratitude is a dangerous path that leads to irrelevance. The APC in Lagos remains united, focused, and determined to continue delivering dividends of democracy to our people. We welcome constructive criticism, but we reject outright falsehoods and political showmanship aimed at misleading the public. While we recognise the right of every Nigerian to join any political party of their choice, we urge the public to be wary of those who jump ship only when their personal ambitions are no longer served, and who now pretend to offer solutions to problems they helped create. We remain committed to building a greater Lagos and a stronger Nigeria,” the party added.

There are no by-elections in Lagos and Osun, where Aregbesola currently lives and play his politics, but there are by-elections in Oyo and Ogun states tomorrow, where Aregbesola, as the leader of the party in the South-West is expected to lead the battle and throw his weight around to ensure victory for the ADC.

Tomorrow’s contest will, no doubt, give the ADC an opportunity to test its strength against the APC and to test-run the coalition it is proposing to build ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

Daily Sun gathered that elections will hold in 14 states, covering two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies.

These are: Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts; Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo) Federal Constituencies, while the nine state constituencies are Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North I (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara), Enugu South I (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano State).

However, by-elections will not hold in Khana II (Rivers State) and Talata Mafara South (Zamfara State) due to what the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) called “security and legal concerns.”

In Kaduna, although Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who is not yet a card-carrying member of the ADC, is personally leading the party’s campaign, it is unlikely if the party will make any inroad, especially because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also fielding a candidate. Besides, the young voters in the area are likely to rally support for the APC candidate who is just 37, against a 49-year-old candidate being fielded by the ADC.

In Jigawa, the PDP’s candidate for the Babura/Garki  Federal Constituency, Auwalu Isah Manzo, appears poised to win for a number of reasons. One, ADC is not fielding a candidate. Two, PDP is likely to benefit from the cold war between the Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi and his predecessor, incumbent Defence minister, Abubakar Badaru. Three, the PDP’s candidate is from Babura, where Badaru hails from. Four, the last occupant of the seat was from Garki, where the APC candidate hails from. And finally, Babura, the PDP candidate’s base, has a larger voting population than Garki.

Speaking on the contest, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Jigawa, Mustapha Sule Lamido, said the election would be a decisive turning point and mark the beginning of the end for the APC’s administration in the state.

Lamido added that Nigerians had endured enough hardship under the APC since 2015 and were now ready to vote the party out in pursuit of peace and harmony.

“APC has been running this country for 10 years and the level of hardships Nigerians are going through is enormous. We have to vote out this administration and start from this Garki/Babura Federal Constituency by-election.

“The ruling party is being booed and insulted as a result of the pains they inflicted on Nigerians. APC in the state and the national is dragging the country backwards. By what I am seeing (crowd), I am confident the days of APC are numbered,” he said.

He called on the constituents to come out en masse to vote, protect, and ensure that their votes are counted, just as he added that the PDP was committed and always ready to cater to the needs, yearnings, and aspirations of the common man.

On his part, Jigawa Governor while presenting the APC’s flag to the party’s candidate, Honourable Rabiu Muktar, commended the unity of purpose exhibited by the party members, saying that it was a model of internal democracy and responsible leadership.

He prayed for the success of the APC at the poll and sought divine guidance for the candidate if elected, just as he praised the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by other aspirants, acknowledging their acceptance of the consensus decision. He also commended the party leaders for their role in ensuring a smooth selection process.

Source: The Sun