Party Stakeholders Reject Process, Call It Undemocratic and Illegitimate

Abuja, Nigeria – July 1, 2025:
A major rift is unfolding within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the controversial announcement of former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as Interim National Secretary of the party. The development has drawn strong opposition from several party stakeholders who say the appointment lacks constitutional legitimacy and democratic transparency.

Also Read: Breaking News: Aregbesola Accepts Role as Interim National Secretary of ADC, Vows to Restore Party Ideals

In a statement released on Monday, concerned leaders of the ADC—including youth and women leaders, ward coordinators, and state party executives—rejected Aregbesola’s “acceptance speech” and questioned both the process and authority behind the purported appointment.

“The ADC is not a one-man project, nor is it for sale,” the statement declared. “This so-called appointment did not follow due process and has no mandate from the party’s legitimate structures.”

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Key Objections Raised by Party Stakeholders

The statement, signed by Dr. Musa Isa Matara IQAM, National Publicity Secretary of the “original” ADC, listed several reasons for rejecting the announcement:

  1. No Legitimate Mandate:
    Stakeholders questioned who appointed Aregbesola and whether the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) or any constitutional organ ratified his position. “If the NEC was not involved, then the appointment is null and void,” they stated.
  2. False Coalition Narrative:
    The group debunked claims that the ADC had merged into a new national opposition coalition. “Our members were neither informed nor consulted,” they said, accusing some elites of attempting to hijack the party under the guise of a merger.
  3. Unresolved Legal Crisis:
    The ADC still faces legal challenges stemming from the 2023 general elections, the statement noted. “Any coalition built on this shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” it warned.
  4. Warning to Incoming Members:
    The stakeholders cautioned new entrants into the ADC to “tread carefully,” alleging that some individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of the party for personal gain.
  5. Violation of Democratic Principles:
    They described the process behind Aregbesola’s emergence as contradictory to the very ideals of internal democracy and inclusion he espoused in his speech. “Democracy cannot begin with imposition,” they said.
  6. Misuse of ‘Party Supremacy’:
    The statement rejected any attempt to use the term “party supremacy” to silence dissent. “Real party supremacy begins with consultation and consensus—not executive fiat.”
  7. Youth and Women Excluded:
    Despite repeated references to youth empowerment in Aregbesola’s speech, party youth and women leaders claimed they were completely sidelined in the decision-making process.

A Call for Accountability and Due Process

The statement concluded with a firm stance on upholding democratic values within the party:

“We are not opposed to coalitions. We are not opposed to reforms. But we are opposed to hijack, to imposition, and to poetic speeches that conceal elitist intentions.”

The stakeholders called for an urgent return to constitutional order and insisted that only a properly convened national convention or NEC can effect legitimate leadership changes within the ADC.

Signed:

Concerned Stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
— Youth Leaders, Women Leaders, State Party Executives, and Ward Coordinators Nationwide