Massive Welcome for Aregbesola in Osogbo as ADC Launches Membership Drive

former Osun State Governor and Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, received a hero’s welcome in Osogbo on Sunday. Thousands of enthusiastic supporters gathered in the state capital to mark the commencement of the party’s membership recruitment drive, signaling the ADC’s growing presence in Osun ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

The occasion marked Aregbesola’s first visit to his home state since assuming the position of interim scribe of the newly formed political coalition that has adopted the ADC as its national platform. Supporters of the former governor, many donning green attire symbolic of Aregbesola’s political identity and his loyal base—the Oranmiyan Group—flocked to the event, creating a festive yet politically charged atmosphere.

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The venue for the event was Aregbesola’s old campaign office, located along the busy Osogbo/Gbongan road. From the early hours of the day, large groups of loyalists began arriving in convoys of buses, motorcycles, and private vehicles. Their numbers soon overwhelmed the surrounding area, leading to a significant traffic gridlock as commuters and motorists struggled to maneuver through the packed streets.

The scene was one of unity and political enthusiasm, as chants of solidarity and songs praising Aregbesola’s leadership filled the air. Supporters waved party flags, held placards with pro-ADC slogans, and shared refreshments in a carnival-like celebration of the party’s new direction under Aregbesola’s stewardship.

“We came here with nine buses and seven motorcycles,” said Abiodun Alabi, an ADC member from Ede South Local Government, speaking to PUNCH Online. “We are here to show that ADC is alive and kicking in Ede South, and we are ready to take over the state in 2026.”

 A New Era Begins for ADC in Osun

The significance of Aregbesola’s emergence as the interim national secretary of the ADC is not lost on observers. As a two-term governor of Osun and former Minister of Interior, Aregbesola commands considerable influence, especially among grassroots political structures in the South-West.

His return to Osun in this new political role is being seen as the launchpad for a serious challenge to the current political establishment in the state. With the ADC now serving as a new platform for his loyalists and a potential coalition of progressive forces, the membership recruitment drive is expected to reshape the political terrain ahead of the next election cycle.

Kazeem Badmus, another staunch supporter and ADC member from Osogbo, explained the strategy behind the membership campaign. “The drive has started in full swing. We’ve received clear instructions from the leadership of our party to begin work and bring in more members. This is not a one-off event; it’s the beginning of a movement,” he said.

Badmus emphasized that the party’s outreach would target youth groups, professional bodies, artisans, and women, noting that the ADC aims to build a broad-based political family driven by transparency, inclusion, and performance.

Aregbesola’s Political Resurgence

Rauf Aregbesola has been a dominant figure in Osun State politics for over a decade. After serving as governor from 2010 to 2018, he took on a federal role as Minister of Interior under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. His return to frontline politics via the ADC has sparked renewed interest in his next political move, with speculation swirling around a possible governorship endorsement or leadership reshuffle within the state’s opposition bloc.

Although Aregbesola has yet to formally announce any political ambition, his alignment with the ADC suggests a strategic pivot away from the internal divisions that marred his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun. His supporters view the ADC as a fresh opportunity to revitalize governance in the state and restore what they describe as the “Oranmiyan legacy.”

“This is the homecoming we’ve waited for,” said Halimat Akinola, a youth leader from Iwo. “We’re tired of the current administration. With Aregbesola in the ADC, we finally have direction again. 2026 starts now.”

Road Ahead: Mobilization and Grassroots Engagement

As the membership drive kicks off, ADC coordinators across Osun’s local government areas have been tasked with organizing town hall meetings, registration campaigns, and political education sessions. The party is also planning to unveil its manifesto in the coming months, focusing on youth empowerment, education reform, infrastructure renewal, and economic diversification.

With momentum clearly building and a powerful political figure like Aregbesola steering its course, the ADC appears poised to be a major contender in Osun’s political future. Whether this energy translates into electoral success in 2026 will depend on the party’s ability to unify its base, maintain internal cohesion, and offer a compelling alternative to the ruling party.

For now, though, one thing is clear: the African Democratic Congress is no longer on the sidelines in Osun State.