Osun 2026: Aregbesola leads ADC campaign in Ife

By Shina Abubakar

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday led the party’s governorship campaign council to Ile-Ife to kick-start its governorship campaign.

Aregbesola was received by a large crowd at the Ooni’s Palace in the company of the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, and other party chieftains.

Addressing the officials led by the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye, Aregbesola said the choice of Ife for the take-off of the ADC campaign is symbolic and also historical.

His words were, “Ile-Ife remains our source. It has been about eight years since we last came here for this purpose. We came with the candidate of our former political party, and although the people of Ife stood solidly with us, God did not permit that opportunity to be fully utilised.

“Our tradition has always been to begin our political campaigns in Ile-Ife because we believe this is our source. Since 2004, we have consistently visited the palace to seek royal blessings before embarking on major political activities, and we are here today to continue that tradition.”

Earlier, Oba Adeyeye reaffirmed the Ooni’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, irrespective of political affiliations, while describing Ile-Ife as the spiritual and historical cradle of the Yoruba race.

He stressed the need for successive governments and political leaders to accord Ile-Ife the level of attention and development befitting its historical significance.

He adds, “Ile-Ife remains the source and ancestral home of the Yoruba people. Politics in modern Nigeria has a rich history that also has strong roots in Ile-Ife. The late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi served as Governor of the old Western Region, and his remarkable contributions were felt not only in Ile-Ife but throughout Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.

“Since he left office, Ile-Ife has not experienced the level of development that befits its status as the cradle of the Yoruba race. The Hausa people regard Sokoto as their source, and today Sokoto continues to enjoy significant development. The Igbo people hold Enugu in high esteem as one of their historic centres, and its growth is evident. We, as Yoruba, who acknowledge Ile-Ife as our source, must collectively ensure that this ancient city receives the attention and development it deserves.”