Former interior minister and secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has again expressed optimism that the party wwould win the 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State.
Aregbesola, who spoke in Osogbo at the weekend during the 60th birthday party of former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, said God was with his party, which confirmed that nothing could hinder its victory in Osun come 2026.
His words, “I don’t want to offend the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Egbedun, and the governor’s representative. But I am very sure that it is our own that God will do”.
Delivering a lecture, entitled “Legislative Contributions to the Sustenance of Nigeria’s Democracy since 1999: Hurdles We Must Overcome,” a University lecturer, Prof. Shola Omotola, identified indiscriminate party switching as one of the challenges facing democracy in Nigeria.’’
He recommended legal sanctions to curb unnecessary defections, adding that unguided switching/carpet crossing without consequences has seriously inhibited the legislature’s contributions to democratic consolidation.
Therefore, the professor of Political Science from Federal University, Oye Ekiti, suggested reforming political parties with an emphasis on internal party democracy.
The current speaker of the Osun Assembly, Wale Egbedun, congratulated the celebrant, Salam, on his 60th birthday, noting that his contributions to the legislature will forever be remembered.
“You have always been my role model. The 8th assembly is proud to associate with you. We see you as a role model.
“I told my people I will relocate to my community if they elect me. I did it because I saw you, being the only speaker in the history of Osun that holds his house firmly,” Egbedun said.
