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

Oyegun, who served as APC national chairman from 2015 to 2019 before defecting to the ADC in 2026, described his support for the ruling party in the last election as a mistake, saying Nigerians were now bearing the consequences.

He spoke in Benin City, Edo State, during a town hall meeting where the ADC received its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.

Oyegun said the 2027 general election offered Nigerians an opportunity to correct the mistake of 2023 and put the country on a path to development.

“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,” he said.

He added that the ADC was determined to rescue the country by presenting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as experienced, and Amaechi, whom he praised for his fearlessness.

“We were deceived once, and we won’t allow ourselves to be deceived again,” Oyegun said.

The former APC national chairman also expressed concern over alleged political intimidation in Edo State, particularly reported threats involving AK-47 rifles, questioning whether such an atmosphere was what the people wanted.

In his remarks, Amaechi criticised the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, arguing that they were pushing more Nigerians into poverty.

He specifically faulted the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying the policy had worsened inflation and increased the financial burden on ordinary Nigerians.

The ADC leaders urged Nigerians to use the 2027 elections to change the country’s political direction, presenting the opposition party as an alternative to the ruling APC.