The African Democratic Congress (ADC), through its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has expressed strong condemnation of attempts by some supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) to rally the Yoruba and South West people against Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
According to the ADC, this mobilization is a betrayal of democratic principles and should be rejected outright.
The party described the campaign against Aregbesola as an appalling attempt to mobilise the Yoruba and South West populace against him simply for exercising his democratic rights and aligning with the Nigerian people.
Drawing parallels to history, the party recalled how, following the June 12 crisis, Nigerians, in a rare moment of political unity, rallied behind a Yoruba presidency by electing President Olusegun Obasanjo. At that time, Tinubu, then Lagos State Governor, stood in firm opposition to Obasanjo’s Federal Government and challenged the status quo a stance that was seen as legitimate dissent rather than betrayal.
“It is hypocritical to now brand Aregbesola or any other dissenting Yoruba leader as traitors,” the ADC stated. “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not synonymous with the South West, and the South West is not beholden to him.”
The statement also raised concerns about efforts to weaponise tribal loyalty, even suggesting that figures like Sunday Igboho, a self-styled ethnic agitator, are being drawn into the fray to target Aregbesola. The ADC warned that this sets a dangerous precedent where blind loyalty trumps democratic principles and national unity.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola is more than capable of defending his political position,” the party added. “However, we cannot remain silent in the face of this growing intolerance. This assault on free expression and democratic rights must end now.”
