Aregbesola says ADC will win Ekiti election, calls APC song outdated

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Aregbesola, has criticized the All Progressives Congress' campaign song, "On your mandate, we stand." He said the song does not connect with Nigerians anymore.

Aregbesola spoke on Thursday during the final campaign of the ADC in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. He is a former governor of Osun State. He described the song, often sung by supporters of President Bola Tinubu for his second-term bid, as outdated.

The ADC rally aimed to support its candidate for Saturday's governorship election, Dare Bejide. Mr Bejide is one of 14 candidates running. Others include the current governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who is seeking reelection with the APC, Olajuyin Oyebanji (LP), Blessing Abegunde (NNPP), Samuel Akande (AAC), David Falegan (Accord), Olu Omotosho (AA), Ayodeji Ojo (ADP), Olarenwaju Anifowose (APM), Awogbemi Olaiya (APP), Praise Ayodele (PRP), and Ayodele Osinkolu (YPP).

When an ADC supporter mentioned the APC song at the rally, Aregbesola, once a member of the APC and a former ally of President Tinubu, dismissed it as "obsolete." He responded by singing mocking songs aimed at the ruling APC at both state and national levels.

He told the hundreds of ADC supporters in Yoruba that if Saturday’s governorship election is free and fair, the ADC will win. He pointed out that the ruling party does not see the ADC as a threat but said, "We will meet on election day. They aren’t governing well. If they campaign within their family, they won’t win."

Aregbesola criticized APC governance, saying, "Governance is zero while their politics is A1." He believes that the current administration is not performing well.

Top ADC leaders present at the rally included National Chair David Mark and National Women’s leader Naomi Abel, among others. During the event, the ADC candidate, Mr Bejide, received the party’s flag.

Bejide addressed his supporters, promising that if elected as governor, Ekiti residents would not lack basic amenities. He urged everyone to go home and prepare for the upcoming election challenge. He likened their strength to a bulldozer that would crush their opponents.