By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has played down the political significance of recent defections by governors and top politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that electoral victory lies with the Nigerian people, not political office holders.

Aregbesola made the assertion while speaking at the public presentation of The Loyalist, a book written by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

He described the celebration of mass defections into the APC as misplaced, arguing that governors alone cannot determine election outcomes.

According to him, the movement of elected officials to the ruling party amounts to a betrayal of the mandate freely given to them by the electorate. He urged Nigerians to remain resolute, noting that the 2023 general elections had already shown that voters, not governors, ultimately decide who wins.
“Governors do not win elections. Nigerians do.

If the APC believes it still enjoys the support of the people, it should submit itself to a free, fair and transparent election,” Aregbesola said.

He further accused the APC of abandoning popular participation in favour of manipulation, warning citizens to remain vigilant in defence of democracy.
Chairman of the occasion and ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, commended the author for documenting Nigeria’s political evolution, describing the book as a valuable record of democratic struggle.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, also speaking at the event, stressed that loyalty to any political cause must be mutual and rewarding, while calling for inclusiveness and equal opportunities for all Nigerians.

Other speakers portrayed the ADC as a broad alliance of democrats drawn from across political lines, united by a determination to rescue Nigeria’s democracy.

They accused the APC of distorting the nation’s political culture and called for unity around a new political movement.

The event was attended by several prominent political figures, including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Waziri Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Liyel Imoke, Great Ogboru, Kayode Fayemi, John Oyegun, Abdulfatai Ahmed and others.