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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has explained why he is backing Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term despite belonging to a rival opposition party.
Momodu, in a statement on Tuesday, said opposition parties must put aside individual interests and unite behind Adeleke ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The former presidential aspirant said he remained a proud member of the ADC but joined the party because of its proposed coalition of opposition forces against the All Progressives Congress.
“I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers,” he said.
Momodu said he had hoped the opposition coalition would bring together major political figures, including those who placed second, third and fourth in the 2023 presidential election.
He, however, said the coalition did not develop as initially envisaged, adding that opposition parties must now confront the political realities in Osun State.
Momodu said his decision to support Adeleke was driven by what he described as the need for opposition parties to unite against the APC rather than allow divisions to weaken their chances at the poll.
“It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theater of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke,” he said.
He also dismissed suggestions that his endorsement was based on his relationship with Adeleke, describing the governor as a highly popular politician with a strong record in governance.
Momodu praised Adeleke’s performance in infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, agriculture, commerce, culture and youth empowerment, among other areas.
He further warned opposition parties against providing what he described as an opportunity for the APC to manipulate the outcome of the August 15 election.
Momodu said his support for Adeleke was therefore based on what he considered the broader political interest of the opposition in Osun State and the need to prevent division from undermining its electoral prospects.
