By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Key Points
Lagos APC accuses Rauf Aregbesola of betraying the party after benefiting from it for over two decades.
Dismisses ADC’s “new deal” as hollow and lacking proven leadership.
Cites Lagos APC’s track record in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and tech reforms.
Stresses that politics without loyalty and gratitude leads to irrelevance.
Party vows unity and continued delivery of “dividends of democracy” ahead of 2027 polls.
Lagos, August 13, 2025 – The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly reacted to recent remarks by former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made during an African Democratic Congress (ADC) membership drive in Kosofe Local Government Area. In those remarks, Aregbesola criticized the APC—and other major political parties—as having failed Nigerians and openly endorsed the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aregbesola, a long-time political ally of APC leader and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, first rose to prominence as Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure between 1999 and 2007, before serving two terms as Governor of Osun State under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later APC. He went on to hold a cabinet position as Minister of Interior from 2015 to 2023, making him one of the longest-serving figures in the APC’s political establishment.
Issuing a statement, Lagos APC Spokesman Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo described Aregbesola’s turn against the party that nurtured him as “deeply disappointing” and a betrayal of core values.
“It is ironic that a man who enjoyed the goodwill and political platform of the APC for over two decades—from his early roles as Commissioner in Lagos to his tenure as Governor of Osun State and later as a Federal Minister—can now publicly denounce the very party that gave him national prominence,” Oladejo said. “If the APC has failed, then Mr. Aregbesola must ask himself what role he played in that failure, rather than rewriting history to abandon accountability.”
Oladejo dismissed the ADC’s “new deal” narrative as lacking substance:
“The so-called ‘new deal’ offered by the ADC is nothing more than recycled rhetoric. Nigerians are not swayed by fanfare or emotional songs at political rallies. Our electorate is discerning—and they will not entrust this country’s future to a party without a proven track record, solid ideology, or cohesive leadership.”
He then turned to highlight the APC’s legacy in Lagos State:
“Lagos remains a shining example of progressive governance under the APC. From infrastructure to healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and technology-driven reforms, our state continues to set the pace nationally. No amount of political grandstanding can erase that reality.”
The spokesman further emphasized the importance of loyalty in politics:
“While individuals are free to pursue their political ambitions, it is expected that they do so with integrity and decorum. Lagos APC is not threatened by theatrics or sudden political conversions. But politics without loyalty and gratitude is a dangerous path—a path that often leads to irrelevance.”
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Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the party reaffirmed its resolve:
“The APC in Lagos remains united, focused, and determined to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to our people. We welcome constructive criticism, but we reject outright falsehoods and political showmanship aimed at misleading the public.”
In closing, Oladejo delivered a cautionary note to Nigerians about party-hopping politicians:
“We recognize everyone’s right to join a political party of their choice. However, the public must be wary of those who jump ship only when their personal ambitions are no longer served—and then pretend to offer solutions to problems they themselves helped create.”
When contacted for comment, an ADC Lagos official said the party “welcomes leaders like Aregbesola who share our vision for a new political direction in Nigeria” and insisted that the ADC’s “new deal” is built on “credible leadership, inclusion, and innovative governance.”
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Lagos APC’s statement marks a clear line in the sand, reinforcing the party’s commitment to its grassroots and its governance agenda as it prepares for the next national electoral cycle.
