We Saw Possibility Of Collaboration’ – ADC Reveals How It Helped Adeleke Win Osun

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has explained how the party worked with the Accord Party during the Osun State governorship election to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from securing victory.

According to Ireporter Online, Abdullahi said the ADC anticipated that a divided opposition could allow the APC to win the election, prompting the party to explore cooperation with other opposition forces.

The Osun governorship election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes. The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Abdullahi said the ADC recognised early that opposition parties could weaken one another by contesting independently.

He explained that the decision to collaborate was therefore aimed at preventing the APC from benefiting from a split in opposition votes.

Abdullahi said the ADC did not view its candidate’s third-place finish as a failure, arguing that the party’s primary objective was to ensure that the APC was defeated.

According to him, the outcome of the election demonstrated that opposition parties could successfully challenge the ruling party when they work together.

He described the result as an important lesson ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying greater cooperation among opposition parties could make it possible to defeat the APC.

Abdullahi, however, said the ADC was not claiming credit for Adeleke’s victory, stressing that the achievement belonged primarily to the people of Osun State and the governor who secured re-election.

He maintained that the Osun election had shown the potential strength of a united opposition and could serve as a model for future political cooperation.