The Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed speculation of a disagreement between the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
The party said the two politicians remained on good terms, insisting that there was no leadership crisis within its ranks.
The clarification follows reports suggesting a possible strain in their relationship after the ADC unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council on September 25, without including Aregbesola among its members.
The omission had reportedly raised questions about the former Osun State governor’s role in Atiku’s presidential campaign, particularly given his political influence in the South-West.
However, the Osun ADC Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, dismissed the claims in an interview with Punch, describing them as attempts to create the impression of discord within the party.
“There is no rancour between Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. They are fine, and there is no leadership crisis within the ADC, as some people may want the public to believe,” Abosede said.
He explained that Aregbesola and the ADC’s South-West leadership were pursuing a political strategy focused on strengthening the party’s structures and expanding its reach across the region.
According to him, the process involves consultations, engagement with different interest groups and efforts to build relationships ahead of the campaign season.
Abosede said the party’s activities should not be judged solely by public announcements or visible campaign events, adding that significant political work was already underway behind the scenes.
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“Politics is not always about making noise or rushing to announce every move. Sometimes, the most consequential work takes place quietly, through consultation, organisation, relationship-building and the consolidation of structures,” he said.
He maintained that the ADC South-West was following a deliberate roadmap under Aregbesola’s leadership and expressed confidence that the party’s efforts would become evident in due course.
The publicity secretary also urged political observers and commentators not to mistake the absence of public campaign activities for inactivity, saying the party would commence its campaign when the time was right.
He added that the political strategy being pursued was designed to strengthen the ADC’s presence across the South-West.