The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially launched its governorship campaign in Osun State, with the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, leading the campaign council to Ile-Ife for the opening event.
Aregbesola arrived at the Ooni’s Palace alongside the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, and other top party officials, where they were welcomed by traditional leaders led by the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye.
Speaking during the visit, Aregbesola described the decision to begin the campaign in Ile-Ife as both symbolic and deeply rooted in history. He said the city holds a special place in Yoruba heritage, making it the traditional starting point for the party’s major political activities.
According to him, the party has maintained the practice of visiting the Ooni’s Palace since 2004 to seek royal blessings before embarking on important political campaigns. He recalled that the same tradition was observed during previous election cycles.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, represented by Oba Adekola Adeyeye, reiterated the palace’s commitment to promoting peace and unity regardless of political affiliation.
The monarch described Ile-Ife as the ancestral home of the Yoruba people and called on political leaders at all levels to give the ancient city the development and recognition its historical importance deserves.
He noted that the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi made significant contributions to governance as Governor of the old Western Region, adding that Ile-Ife has yet to receive the level of development expected of the cradle of the Yoruba race.
The traditional ruler also compared the importance attached to ancestral cities by other ethnic groups, urging Yoruba leaders to work collectively towards advancing the growth and development of Ile-Ife.
