Nigeria, Aug. 3 -- The South-west leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind the party's National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, rejecting a petition by group within the party seeking his removal and insisting that those behind the move are not recognised leaders of the party in the region.

The development marks the latest twist in the internal disputes the opposition party is grappling with ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At a meeting of recognised national and zonal officers held in the South-west, party leaders unanimously dismissed allegations that Mr Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, manipulated the party's structures or influenced the emergence of candidates, describing the claims...