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,
— Rauf Aregbesola
Former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has raised alarm over the deepening economic crisis and growing insecurity across Nigeria, lamenting that governance has drifted away from the people’s welfare.
By Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin
Former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has raised alarm over the deepening economic crisis and growing insecurity across Nigeria, lamenting that governance has drifted away from the people’s welfare.
Speaking on Saturday during the commissioning of the new Kwara State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ilorin, Aregbesola criticised the current administration for what he described as “insensitive leadership and misplaced priorities” that have worsened living conditions nationwide.
According to him, Nigerians are facing unprecedented hardship, with inflation, unemployment, and poverty pushing families into despair.
“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,
“Aregbesola lamented. “Those in governance today are self-centred and think only about themselves.”
He faulted the poor state of infrastructure across the country, noting that several key roads such as Ilorin–Ibadan, Ilorin–Lokoja, and Ilorin–Offa have been left to deteriorate despite their importance to trade and regional connectivity. He accused those in power of prioritising less impactful projects at the expense of citizens’ daily realities.
Aregbesola urged Nigerians to look beyond party sentiment in 2027, insisting that the nation needs leaders who understand governance as a service to humanity, not a path to personal enrichment.
“It is time for Nigerians to think differently and seek alternatives that can restore hope and dignity,” he declared.
Addressing party supporters, Aregbesola encouraged ADC members to intensify grassroots mobilisation, saying the party stands for justice, equity, and people-oriented governance.
“Let’s keep talking about ADC — in markets, offices, mosques, and churches — so people will know there’s a party ready to truly work for them,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, former Kwara State Governor Alhaji Abdul Fatai Ahmed described ADC as a platform redefining inclusiveness and participatory democracy.
“This party has come to show that governance can work when everyone — men and women alike — has a voice in decision-making,” Ahmed said.
The ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, noted that the inauguration signified a new dawn for Kwara politics, adding that the party seeks to “liberate Nigerians from poor governance and economic exclusion.”
Local leader Hon. Danladi from Offa Local Government echoed similar sentiments, lamenting deteriorating infrastructure and insecurity across communities.
> “Our roads are bad, there’s lack of water and insecurity everywhere. It’s as if there’s no governance,” he said. “But ADC is a party where there’s no intimidation — every person has prominence.”
The highlight of the event was the defection of Babatunde Muhammad, a former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with thousands of his supporters to the ADC — a move party leaders described as a major boost to the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.