Cracks have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following strong resistance from key stakeholders over the appointment of former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s Interim National Secretary.
In a statement released Wednesday, Dr. Musa Isa Matara, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, led a coalition of party loyalists—including women and youth groups—in rejecting what they called an “attempted takeover” of the party structure.
“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,” the statement read.
The aggrieved group argued that the appointment lacked legitimacy, as no National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting or National Convention had ratified any leadership changes.
They accused coalition leaders of sidelining existing ADC structures, including state chairmen, elected national officers, and youth leaders. According to them, claims that the ADC has been adopted as the “platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group” are misleading and untrue.
“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty,” the stakeholders declared.
They further warned that any move to forcefully align the party with a larger coalition without resolving ADC’s lingering internal legal disputes would amount to “building on a shaky foundation.”
“Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections. These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” the group stated.“We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain. The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers,” the statement concluded with a final note of warning.
