The Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress on Tuesday urged the electorate to reject the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections, saying the party has not demonstrated the capacity to successfully manage the country.
The party also dismissed claims that the ADC failed to pay its secretariat staff for over a year, saying the allegation by the APC was a failed attempt to portray it as incapable of governing the country.
This was contained in a release signed by the Osun ADC Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, issued in reaction to a statement attributed to the APC Presidential Campaign Council, which alleged that the ADC failed to pay its staff for over a year.
“The APC’s attempt to portray the ADC as a party incapable of governing Nigeria is neither an argument based on sound reasoning nor a credible assessment of our capacity to lead. It is a desperate attempt to distract Nigerians from the economic hardship, rising cost of living, insecurity and mounting pressures confronting households and businesses across the country.
“Nigerians are interested in leadership that delivers results, not an administration that issues statements condemning its opponents while struggling to convince citizens that its own record deserves another mandate,” the statement read.
It further alleged that the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, was being targeted by the APC Presidential Campaign Council, adding that the issues of modulated salaries and outstanding pension obligations during Aregbesola’s tenure as Osun State governor remain part of the state’s political history.
It accused the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and the APC of intellectual dishonesty for attempting to discredit the ADC and reduce Aregbesola’s eight years of governance in Osun to a single issue, while ignoring the broader policy choices, infrastructure, educational reforms and other initiatives associated with that administration.
Reeling out Aregbesola’s achievements while in office as Osun State governor, the ADC said the administration built 170 model schools: 100 elementary schools, 50 middle schools and 20 high schools, reduced fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, provided support for medical students undergoing clinical training abroad, and offered bursary support to students rather than student loans.
“Through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O-YES), the administration created employment opportunities for thousands of young people. It also constructed and rehabilitated township roads across Osun’s local government areas, undertook major road and bridge projects, and improved rural connectivity through projects supported by the World Bank and the French government under the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP). These interventions accounted for more than 300 kilometres of township roads and 222 kilometres of rural roads.
“On healthcare, Ogbeni upgraded and rehabilitated more than nine state hospitals and 12 comprehensive health centres. His administration also established the Osun Ambulance Service (O-Ambulance) to strengthen emergency medical response.
“What about the Omoluabi Garment Factory, which promoted local garment production and employment? What about O’Clean, which improved statewide environmental sanitation, alongside the dredging of waterways and canals to address flooding during his administration?
“The achievements also extended to agriculture and food production, as well as social welfare programmes for vulnerable groups. These included the Agba Osun initiative for older residents and the O-Widow programme for widows. His administration also supported students through bursaries and introduced measures to reduce the financial burden of education, rather than leaving students to depend solely on loans,” the Osun ADC further stated.
It added that the party will not trade insults with the APC, but is ready to advance ideas and solutions capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.
It declared that Nigeria needed a new direction, saying the APC has had its opportunity, urging the electorate to deliver judgement on the national ruling party’s performance at the polls in January by using their ballots to vote it out.
“The time has come for Nigerians to reject political propaganda and demand accountable leadership that prioritises the welfare of the people. Nigerians deserve a government that listens to their concerns, addresses their challenges and offers credible solutions to the problems confronting the nation,” the ADC further said.