From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Former Interior Minister and Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed optimism that God is with his party in the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Speaking at the 60th birthday party of former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr Najeem Salaam, in Osogbo, on Saturday, Aregbesola said he avoided saying anything that would hurt the state government, but he was very sure that God is with the ADC and will support the party.
He said, “I don’t want to offend the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Egbedun, and the representative of the governor, but I am very sure that it is our own that God will do.”
In his lecture, a university lecturer, Prof. Shola Omotola, described party switching as one of the challenges facing democracy in Nigeria and suggested sanctions that would be prescribed by law to curb unnecessary defections.
The Professor of Political Science from Federal University, Oye Ekiti, who spoke on “Legislative Contributions to the Sustenance of Nigeria’s Democracy since 1999: Hurdles We Must Overcome,” posited that party switching/carpet crossing without consequences has been a serious inhibiting factor limiting the contributions of the legislature to democratic consolidation.
He suggested reform of political parties with emphasis on internal party democracy, adding that there should be adequate sanctions as prescribed in the law for party switching to serve as deterrence.
The current Speaker of the Osun Assembly, Wale Egbedun, congratulated the celebrant, Salaam, on his 60th birthday, noting that his contributions to the legislature will forever be remembered.
“You have always been my role model. The 8th Assembly is proud to associate with you. We see you as a role model.
“I told my people that I would relocate to my community if they elected me. I did it because I saw you, being the only Speaker in the history of Osun that holds his house firmly,” Egbedun said.
