Aregbesola declares ADC ‘Only Hope’ for Nigerians, calls ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda a scam

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria — 15 April 2026 (NPA) — Former Governor of Osun State and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has declared that the ADC remains the only hope for Nigeria’s masses.

Speaking at the party’s 8th National Convention in Abuja during the presentation of the Secretariat Report, Aregbesola, who previously served as Minister of Interior, described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a scam.” He told delegates that the ADC is on a rescue mission to free the country from what he termed the “strangulating grasp” of the APC.

“The ruling party never had a vision; its Renewed Hope agenda was a scam,” he said, accusing the APC of foisting an electoral law that effectively decriminalises forgery and false claims in electoral documents. “We proclaim our existence because our country is worth all necessary sacrifices,” he added.

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Aregbesola criticised the government’s handling of the economy, noting that the exchange rate has doubled since 2023, rising from about ₦700 to the dollar to around ₦1,400. He argued that such devaluation is devastating for an import-dependent economy.

He also highlighted the impact of inflation, pointing out that fuel prices have risen from between ₦185 and ₦238 per litre before the current administration to about ₦1,400 per litre today. He said the soaring cost of transportation has made commuting unrealistic for many workers.

On power supply, Aregbesola recalled that the government had promised not to seek re-election if it failed to provide constant electricity. “Today, power supply is far worse, with some parts of the country receiving an average of two hours daily and others in darkness for weeks and months,” he said.

He concluded that an honest president should step down after failing to deliver on such promises, but instead, Nigerians are witnessing “the most desperate attempt by a candidate in Nigerian electoral history to retain power at all costs, even if it means bringing down the entire democratic system.”