Former Edo State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has apologised to Nigerians for helping the All Progressives Congress (APC), and President Tinubu to power in the 2023 general election.

Oyegun, a former National Chairman of the APC between 2015 and 2019, who defected to the ADC in 2026, said Nigerians were paying for what he described as the “mistake” of voting for Tinubu and the APC in the 2023 general election.

He said the forthcoming 2027 general election had given Nigerians an opportunity to correct the mistake and accelerate the nation’s development.

Oyegun made the remark in Benin City when the party received its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, during a town hall meeting.

“Today, we are suffering from the terrible mistake of 2023 nationwide. Now is the time to rescue the nation by presenting former Vice President Atiku and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, to rescue the nation.

“The ADC mission now is to rescue the nation. Yes, we made such a mistake, but we are bringing Atiku, with his vast experience, and Amaechi, who is fearless. We were deceived once, and we won’t allow ourselves to be deceived again,” he said.

Oyegun, however, expressed concern over political intimidation in Edo State, particularly alleged threats involving AK-47 rifles, and questioned whether such a political environment was what the people wanted.

In his speech, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi criticised the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which he said were pushing Nigerians into poverty daily.

He stressed that Tinubu’s policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, had worsened inflation and increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians. (Daily Trust)