Former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola has said he did not defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), explaining that he joined the party as a platform to pursue his political agenda ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a video shared on X on Monday, Aregbesola told supporters that his decision followed unsuccessful attempts to reform the All Progressives Congress (APC) from within.
The former Osun State governor said APC leaders expelled him and his loyalists without due process after they refused to accept his counsel on party reforms.
“For context, I did not defect to ADC. I joined ADC as a platform to lead Nigerians from the darkness it is now to a new light,” he said.
He added that remaining politically relevant required a new structure after avenues within the APC were closed.
“Now we have just two options: to abandon politics or to remain in politics and have a new platform to pursue our objective and vision for our people and the nation,” Aregbesola stated.
The APC announced Aregbesola’s expulsion in January 2025, citing alleged anti-party activities. Before his removal, he had led an internal faction known as The Osun Progressives, which was later rebranded as the Omoluabi Caucus.
Aregbesola also cautioned that recent defections of governors to the APC do not automatically translate into electoral victory for the party in 2027.
He urged political leaders to prioritise internal democracy, meaningful reforms, and policies that directly address the needs of citizens.
