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

Oyegun, who served as the APC National Chairman from 2015 to 2019 before defecting to the ADC in 2026, said Nigerians were bearing the consequences of what he described as the “mistake” of voting for Tinubu and the APC in the 2023 election.

He said the 2027 general election presented Nigerians with an opportunity to correct the mistake and put the country on the path of development.

Oyegun spoke in Benin City, Edo State, during a town hall meeting organised to receive the ADC's vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.

“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.

The former APC national chairman also expressed concern over alleged political intimidation in Edo State, particularly reports of threats involving AK-47 rifles.

He questioned whether such an atmosphere of intimidation was what the people of the state wanted, stressing the need for a political environment where citizens could freely express their views and participate in democratic activities.