Former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola has decried the rising economic hardship and insecurity in the country, urging Nigerians to reject what he described as “selfish and insensitive governance” in the next general election.

Aregbesola also emphatically called for the rejection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.

The former Governor of Osun State spoke on Saturday at the unveiling and commissioning of the new state secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Basin, Ilorin.

The former minister said the current administration had failed to address the plight of Nigerians, as hunger, unemployment, and insecurity continue to worsen nationwide.

“Before, with ₦10,000, you could start a small business confidently, but today even ₦200,000 is not enough. There is hunger everywhere, insecurity, and joblessness. The people in governance today are self-centred and think only about themselves,” he said.

He criticised the neglect of major roads like Ilorin–Ibadan, Ilorin–Lokoja, and Ilorin–Offa, noting that government focuses on repairing less important roads instead of those that affect the daily lives of citizens.

Aregbesola called on party members to intensify grassroots sensitisation about the ADC’s values.

“Let’s keep talking about ADC — in markets, offices, mosques, and churches — so people will know about the party that truly wants to work for them,” he urged.

Earlier in his welcome address, former Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Ahmed, expressed optimism that the unveiling would mark “a new direction of political experience in the state.”

“This party has come to define how inclusiveness can be achieved using the power of everyone — men and women alike. I believe this occasion will help entrench our party firmly in Kwara State,” Ahmed said.

Also speaking, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, described the event as the official flag-off of the party’s structure in the state.

“ADC is now a people’s party with members across the country. We are not enough yet, but we will keep increasing because God is in control,” he said, adding that the party is focused on liberating Nigerians from poor governance.

In his goodwill message, Hon. Danladi from Offa Local Government commended the resilience of Aregbesola and other party leaders, urging members to remain steadfast in their pursuit of transformation.

“Our roads are bad, there is a lack of water and insecurity everywhere, it is as if there’s no governance. But ADC is a party where there’s no intimidation and where every person has prominence,” he said.

The event also witnessed the defection of Babatunde Muhammad, a former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the ADC alongside thousands of his supporters.

Party leaders expressed confidence that the move would strengthen the ADC’s base in Kwara and position it as a credible alternative in the lead-up to future elections.