A group under the aegis of Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC has rejected the appointment of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s, as the interim national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying it lacked due process, transparency and legitimacy.
According to the group, “until a legitimate, constitutionally-backed National Convention or National Executive Council (NEC) of the ADC confirms the leadership changes, no one has the moral or legal right to speak for the party nationally”.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the National Publicity Secretary, ADC (Original), Dr. Musa Isa Matara, the group urged all genuine stakeholders of the ADC—across states, zones, and demographic groups—to reject this attempted takeover of our party.
The group comprising youth and women leaders, state party executives, and ward coordinators nationwide, said it was neither opposed to coalitions nor reform in the party, however stressed that it was against hijack, imposition, as well as speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language.
The statement read in part, “While we appreciate the enthusiasm with which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has delivered his acceptance speech as Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), we must urgently and firmly reject the premise and process behind this appointment — an appointment that lacks due process, transparency, and the broad-based legitimacy expected in a democratic political party.
“The ADC is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group or individuals—regardless of how eloquent or ideologically polished their speeches may sound.
“We stand firmly on the side of accountable leadership, transparent decision-making, and a people-powered party structure. Any process that excludes the very people it claims to serve is undemocratic and must be challenged.
“We call on all genuine stakeholders of the ADC—across states, zones, and demographic groups—to reject this attempted takeover of our party.
“We are not opposed to coalitions. We are not opposed to reform.
But we are opposed to hijack, to imposition, and to speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language.
“Until a legitimate, constitutionally-backed ADC National Convention or NEC confirms leadership changes, no one has the moral or legal right to speak for our party nationally”, the statement reads in part.