ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday led the party’s governorship campaign council to Ile-Ife, officially kicking off its campaign for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Aregbesola, accompanied by the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, and other ADC leaders, was received by a large crowd before paying a courtesy visit to the Ooni’s Palace, where they sought royal blessings ahead of the electioneering campaign.
Addressing palace officials led by the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye, Aregbesola said the decision to launch the campaign from Ile-Ife was both symbolic and consistent with the political tradition of his political movement.
According to him, the ancient town occupies a special place in Yoruba history and has remained the starting point for major political campaigns since 2004.
“Ile-Ife remains our source. It has been about eight years since we last came here for this purpose. We came with the candidate of our former political party, and although the people of Ife stood solidly with us, God did not permit that opportunity to be fully utilised.
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“Our tradition has always been to begin our political campaigns in Ile-Ife because we believe this is our source. Since 2004, we have consistently visited the palace to seek royal blessings before embarking on major political activities, and we are here today to continue that tradition,” Aregbesola said.
Speaking on behalf of the palace, Oba Adeyeye reaffirmed the Ooni’s commitment to peaceful coexistence irrespective of political affiliations, while describing Ile-Ife as the spiritual and historical cradle of the Yoruba race.
The traditional ruler urged political leaders and successive governments to accord the ancient town the level of development befitting its historical importance.
“Ile-Ife remains the source and ancestral home of the Yoruba people. Politics in modern Nigeria has a rich history that also has strong roots in Ile-Ife.
“Since the days of the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, Ile-Ife has not experienced the level of development that reflects its status as the cradle of the Yoruba race.
“We, as Yoruba, who acknowledge Ile-Ife as our source, must collectively ensure that this ancient city receives the attention and development it deserves,” he said.
The visit marks the formal commencement of the ADC’s governorship campaign as the party intensifies preparations for the Osun governorship election, with Salaam expected to challenge other contenders for the state’s highest office.