The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the polling unit where former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola cast his vote in Saturday's governorship election, according to Premium Times. This result delivers an early setback to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which Aregbesola serves as National Secretary.
APC Dominates at Aregbesola's Polling Unit
At PU001, Coop. Building Junction, Isare, Ward 08, Ilesa East Local Government Area, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji secured 256 votes. Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party came second with 43 votes, while ADC candidate Najeem Salaam, whom Aregbesola is backing, managed only 13 votes.
The outcome at this polling unit reflects a broader trend in the area, as the ADC struggled to convert Aregbesola's political influence into electoral support.
ADC Also Loses Second Polling Unit
The pattern repeated at a nearby location. At PU007, Elegant D.C. (Agbon Arugbo), Isare, Ward 08, Ilesa East LGA, the APC again topped the result with 202 votes. The Accord Party followed with 110 votes, and the ADC received 12 votes, finishing third once more.
These twin defeats in Aregbesola's home area of Ilesa raise questions about the ADC's ability to leverage his political standing into actual votes across the state, where the party has positioned itself as a third force against the two frontrunners.
Aregbesola's Political Journey and ADC Role
Aregbesola governed Osun State for two terms between 2010 and 2018, first under the now-defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and later under the APC, a party he helped found in 2013. After his governorship, he served as Minister of Interior in the federal government before breaking with the APC and joining the ADC.
Within the ADC, he holds the position of National Secretary in the faction led by former Senate President David Mark. His defection from the APC last year was seen by many observers as a significant development for Osun politics, given his long history in the state and his continued influence among a section of the electorate.
Governor Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking a second term in Saturday's election. The results from Aregbesola's polling units indicate that the ADC's performance may fall short of expectations, potentially impacting the party's overall standing in the election.
