Supporters of the newly appointed Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, trooped to the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Friday evening to welcome the former Minister of Interior.

Naijaonpoint reports that Aregbesola, who returned from Abuja after his appointment, was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of loyalists, many of whom wore orange caps in a show of solidarity.

Addressing his supporters, Aregbesola stressed the need to revive ideological politics in Nigeria, lamenting that most political parties today operate as “empty shells” with no guiding principles.

In his remarks, the former Osun State governor praised South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) as an example of a party built on enduring values.

He stated, “The ANC is not perfect, but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests, and true freedom. It has character. It has soul.

“Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties. Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells emerging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality.”

Aregbesola’s entry into the ADC comes amid growing momentum for the party, now emerging as the central platform for a coalition of opposition figures, including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer Peter Obi, and ex-Senate President David Mark.

The ADC is being positioned as a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress, with plans underway to mount a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election.