Former Osun State Governor and current National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed strong optimism about his party’s chances in the 2026 governorship election, asserting that divine backing is on their side.
Speaking on Sunday during the 60th birthday celebration of his ally and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, Aregbesola confidently stated that the ADC would emerge victorious in the upcoming polls.
“I don’t want to offend the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and the representative of the Governor. But I am very sure that it is our own that God will do,”
Aregbesola declared at the event.
The celebration also featured a keynote lecture delivered by Professor Shola Omotola, who spoke on the topic: “Legislative Contributions to the Sustenance of Nigeria’s Democracy since 1999: Hurdles We Must Overcome.”
Professor Omotola addressed a pressing issue in Nigeria’s political terrain, frequent defections among lawmakers, arguing that the absence of legal consequences for switching parties undermines democratic consolidation.
“The phenomenon of leaving political parties without consequences has significantly hindered the legislature’s ability to contribute to the consolidation of democracy,”
he explained.
He called for urgent reforms to strengthen internal democracy within political parties, adding that strict legal frameworks and penalties must be introduced to discourage political opportunism.
“There should be appropriate legal sanctions for party switching to serve as a deterrent,”
he added.
Also in attendance was the current Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Egbedun, who praised the celebrant, Hon. Salam, for his enduring legacy in the state’s legislative history.
“You have always been my role model. The 8th Assembly is proud to associate with you. We see you as a role model,” Egbedun said.
He also recounted his personal commitment to grassroots representation, which was inspired by Salam’s example.
“I told my people that 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,” he concluded.
