Osun Election Drama: Aregbesola Reacts To Claims ADC May Pull Out Of Race

Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has dismissed reports that the party and its governorship candidate, Najeem Folasayo Salaam, have withdrawn from the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

Aregbesola addressed the claim on Saturday during a solidarity rally in Ejigbo, Osun State, organised to mark Salaam’s 61st birthday and reaffirm support for his candidacy.

He described the reports as false, baseless and misleading, urging members of the public to disregard them.

According to Aregbesola, the ADC remains fully committed to participating in the governorship election and has neither withdrawn from the contest nor entered into an alliance with another political party.

He maintained that the party had established a strong political structure built around progressive ideals and traditions, leaving no reason for it to abandon its electoral ambition.

“The ADC is too strong and too well-positioned to negotiate away its political ambition or contemplate an alliance with any other political party. We have built a formidable structure anchored on progressive principles, ideals and traditions,” Aregbesola said.

He added that the party remained confident in both its political structure and the support of the electorate.

“We have absolute faith in God and confidence in the support of the people. We are contesting this election to win,” he stated.

Aregbesola also praised Salaam, highlighting what he described as the candidate’s integrity, humility, character and commitment to humanity.

He said these qualities had distinguished Salaam as a leader capable of earning the trust of the people.

The former governor consequently urged Osun residents to support the ADC and its candidate, expressing confidence that a Salaam-led administration would revive progressive ideals and restore public confidence in democracy, good governance and purposeful leadership.