Concerned stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress have firmly rejected the appointment of former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s Interim National Secretary, arguing that the process lacked transparency and clearly violated the party’s constitution.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Musa Isa Matara, and co‑signed by youth leaders, women leaders, state executives, and ward coordinators across the country, the group warned that the ADC “is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group or individuals.”
“Who appointed Gov. Aregbesola? Which organ of the ADC ratified this appointment?” the statement queried, stressing that neither the National Executive Committee nor the state chairpersons were consulted before the announcement was made.
The stakeholders further described as “misleading” the claim that the ADC is now the official platform for a national opposition coalition, insisting that millions of party members were neither briefed nor consulted on such a critical decision.
Matara also cautioned prospective coalition partners, reminding them that the ADC remains entangled in unresolved court cases arising from the 2023 elections. He labelled any talk of merger at this stage as “irresponsible and potentially self‑destructive.”
The statement urged new entrants to “tread carefully”, emphasising that “the ADC is not for sale; it belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite deal‑makers.”
In addition, the group criticised Aregbesola’s supporters for preaching internal democracy while simultaneously “imposing leadership without consultation.”
The stakeholders pointed out that the process completely sidelined the party’s youth and women wings, warning that such disregard could not be tolerated. “Our youth are watching. Democracy cannot begin with imposition.”
“We stand firmly for accountable leadership, transparent decision‑making, and a people‑powered party structure,” the statement declared, urging all genuine party members across Nigeria to resist “this attempted takeover.”
Until a properly convened National Convention or NEC meeting constitutionally approves any change in leadership, the stakeholders maintained that “no one has the moral or legal right to speak for ADC at the national level.”
