…National Leadership Reaffirms Adegoke as Oyo Governorship Candidate, Urges Gbemileke Alagbe, Others to Close Ranks
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned Mr. Gbemileke Alagbe, popularly known as Eleniyan, and other aggrieved members of the party in Oyo State against actions capable of creating confusion and division within its ranks ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The party also reaffirmed that Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke remains its recognised governorship candidate for Oyo State in the 2027 general election.
The position was restated by the party’s Deputy National Financial Secretary, Oladimeji Fadeyi, during an interview on Solutions 93.9 FM’s AM Update on Wednesday.
Fadeyi appealed to Alagbe and other aggrieved party members to sheath their swords, put their differences aside and work with Adegoke towards securing victory for the ADC in the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, internal disagreements are normal in politics, but they should not be allowed to undermine the overall interest and electoral fortunes of the party.
Clarifying the controversy surrounding the ADC governorship ticket in Oyo State, Fadeyi said Adegoke emerged through a recognised primary election conducted by the party.
He maintained that the primary process produced candidates for the various elective positions and that the process was known to the relevant electoral authorities.
“The ADC has succeeded in presenting credible people to represent the party in the coming elections, and Oyo State is inclusive. We had primaries that produced who would represent the party.
“In Oyo State, we had a primary that produced Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke as the candidate for the governorship. We went through direct primaries and members of the party chose him to represent them in the next election in 2027,” Fadeyi said.
He consequently urged all stakeholders who genuinely believed in the ADC’s political project to respect the outcome of the party’s internal processes and concentrate on building a formidable campaign structure ahead of the election.
Fadeyi’s appeal comes amid reported disagreements among some members of the ADC in Oyo State over the party’s governorship ticket.
He urged Alagbe and other aggrieved members to resolve their grievances through appropriate internal and legal channels rather than engaging in activities capable of confusing party supporters and the electorate.
He said the primary objective should be to unite the party and present a strong alternative to the people of Oyo State in 2027.
Fadeyi further called on party members to support Adegoke’s candidacy and work collectively towards what he described as the ADC’s mission to take Oyo State to a higher level of development.
The ADC national officer also spoke on the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, expressing confidence in his chances in the 2027 presidential election.
Fadeyi described Atiku as an experienced politician and administrator with the capacity to address some of the economic and governance challenges confronting Nigeria.
He defended the former Vice-President against what he described as rumours and negative narratives surrounding his political career, urging Nigerians to assess him based on his record in public service.
According to Fadeyi, Atiku’s experience in government and his involvement in economic management make him well positioned to provide alternative solutions to the country’s challenges.
Fadeyi also cited Atiku’s opposition to the third-term agenda under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, arguing that it demonstrated his commitment to constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
He claimed that Atiku’s political career had been characterised by a willingness to challenge policies or political decisions he considered inimical to democratic principles.
The ADC official also referenced Atiku’s legal battles during the period, using them to buttress his argument that the former Vice-President had consistently pursued his political convictions through constitutional means.
Fadeyi further highlighted Atiku’s role in the country’s economic management and claimed that the period witnessed significant economic growth.
He also credited the former Vice-President with contributing to the liberalisation and development of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, which eventually paved the way for the rapid expansion of mobile telecommunications services across the country.
Fadeyi said Atiku’s presidential campaigns had consistently been accompanied by policy proposals explaining what he intended to achieve if elected.
He argued that Nigerians deserved a leader with clearly defined policies and the experience to implement them, insisting that the ADC candidate had the requisite background to provide such leadership.
He also criticised aspects of the 2023 presidential campaign, alleging that then-candidate Bola Tinubu did not participate in a presidential debate and arguing that Nigerians should have been given a clearer explanation of the policies that would be implemented.
Fadeyi particularly cited subsequent policy changes and the removal of fuel subsidy as examples of decisions that, in his view, should have been subjected to broader public explanation and debate.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the ADC is expected to intensify efforts to consolidate its structures in Oyo State and resolve internal disagreements, with party leaders insisting that unity will be critical to its ambition of mounting a strong challenge in the state.
2027 Oyo Guber: ADC Warns Aggrieved Members Against Actions Capable of Dividing Party
