…Say Only ADC Can Salvage State from Poverty
Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, and former Osun State Governor and ADC National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, have berated the All Progressives Congress government in Ekiti State, saying it has failed to deliver on its mandate to residents.
The ADC leaders spoke on Tuesday at a mega rally in Ado Ekiti attended by thousands of supporters ahead of the June 20 off-cycle governorship election. Both expressed confidence that ADC would emerge victorious if the poll was conducted transparently.
Mark urged Ekiti residents to rally behind ADC and its governorship candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, describing the party as the only group capable of salvaging the state “from the claws of poverty.”
Aregbesola dismissed suggestions that ADC lacked the strength to challenge the ruling party, insisting the true test of popularity would be at the ballot box.
He said APC might underestimate the opposition because of appearances, but warned such assumptions would prove costly.
“If truly they want to go to the poll without writing results, they can never win that election. Warn him so that he won’t waste his money,” Aregbesola said.
He added: “I’m very happy that you are doing it here. If it’s more than this, it will become a problem. They say a needle is very small, but no hen can try to swallow it. It is good for them to think we are not many. We will meet them at the poll. Had it been they were governing well, we would be scared of them, but we are not.”
The former minister maintained that ADC would win if the process was free and fair, alleging that the ruling party would have no chance without manipulating the outcome.
Also speaking, Ambassador Dare Bejide expressed gratitude to party members for turning out en masse to support him and pledged to stand by their mandate if elected governor.
ADC candidate for Ekiti North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dr. Funso Ayeni, also urged residents to vote for ADC, stressing that the party would win and deliver better governance.
The June 20 poll will see Governor Biodun Oyebanji of APC seeking re-election against Bejide of ADC, Dr. Wole Oluyede of PDP, and other candidates.
