The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has defended its performance in the recent Osun State governorship election, stating that its low vote count was the result of a deliberate strategic collaboration with the Accord Party to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from winning.

According to ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party recognized that splitting the opposition vote would hand victory to the APC. Consequently, the leadership backed a cooperative strategy with the Accord Party, ensuring that incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke retained power. 

While the ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished a distant third with 17,180 votes behind Mr. Adeleke and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, the party maintained that the defeat of the APC constituted a major success for its broader political objectives. Mr. Abdullahi emphasized that the outcome proves that opposition parties can successfully defeat an incumbent government in the 2027 general elections by setting aside their differences and working together.

However, the ADC clarified that it does not claim sole credit for the electoral outcome, attributing the success primarily to the electorate and Governor Adeleke. Following his victory, Mr. Adeleke expressed gratitude for the federal administration's neutral stance during the election and reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid under the APC platform.