Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has taken a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that “governors do not win elections – the people do.”
His remarks come amid the wave of defections by governors from opposition parties to the ruling APC.
Unfazed by the political realignments, Aregbesola insisted that the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Lagos proved that control of state governments does not automatically translate into electoral victory.
The former governor and minister, made the remark in Abuja during the public launch of “The Loyalist”, a book written by Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC.
He said: “Something is going on that is worrisome, especially for those of us who are democrats.”
“The belief that governors can win elections against the will of the people is not supported by the last election.”
“The same thing happened in Lagos. The APC candidate lost his ward, local government and the state.”
“These results clearly show that governors do not win elections — the people do.”
“Commit yourself to a free and fair election, and let us see what the result will be.”
