A mammoth crowd of enthusiastic supporters on Thursday stormed the Akure Airport to welcome the former Minister of Interior and acting National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on his first official visit to Ondo State since assuming his new role, amidst plot to set up the coalition in the states of the federation.
The atmosphere was electric as party faithful, youth groups, and cultural troupes gathered in their numbers, waving placards with inscriptions of support.
The convoy that escorted the former Osun State governor into the city was met at various points by cheering crowds.
Aregbesola’s visit came on the heels of a major political realignment within the ADC, which, in early July, saw the party’s entire National Executive Committee step aside to make way for a caretaker leadership.
“This interim structure now has former Senate President David Mark as Chairman and Aregbesola as Secretary. The move is part of a broader strategy to reposition the party as a formidable platform for the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Addressing the press on behalf of the former minister, the former NNPP candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Gbenga Edema, described the visit as a call to duty and an opportunity to engage with stakeholders at the grassroots level. He said Nigerians are yearning for a credible alternative to the ruling party and that the ADC, under its new leadership, is determined to build a party that reflects the aspirations of the people.
“Let me say it in the words of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola: this is not just a visit; it is a movement. We are laying the foundation for a party that is truly owned by the people. This is the beginning of a new political era, and together, we will rescue Nigeria,” Mr Edema declared.
He further said, “Aregbesola is a tested leader with the courage and vision to lead this revolution. The crowd here today proves that Nigerians are ready to take back their country.”
The ADC’s coalition project, dubbed Rescue Nigeria 2027, has drawn interest from key political figures across the country, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi. The plan, which seeks to unite opposition voices under one platform, is aimed at breaking the dominance of the ruling APC.
The former minister’s visit to Ondo is expected to be the first in a series of similar engagements across the South-West as part of efforts to mobilise support for the coalition.
