ADC Stakeholders Reject Aregbesola’s Appointment As Interim Secretary, Call It Illegitimate

A faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the appointment of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s interim national secretary, calling the move unconstitutional and lacking legitimacy.

The group, which refers to itself as the “Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC,” includes youth leaders, women representatives, state executives, and ward coordinators. Their position was made known in a statement issued Tuesday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Musa Isa Matara.

Titled “ADC is not a one-man project: A response to Rauf Aregbesola’s acceptance speech”, the statement dismissed the claim that the ADC had become the adopted platform for a national opposition coalition, describing such narratives as “misleading.”

“While we appreciate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s enthusiasm in accepting the role, we must firmly reject the flawed process that led to this appointment. One that lacked transparency, inclusiveness, and constitutional backing,” the statement read.

The group insisted that only a duly convened ADC National Executive Committee (NEC) or National Convention has the authority to ratify leadership changes. It emphasized that no single individual currently holds the legal or moral mandate to restructure the party’s leadership.

They further alleged that Aregbesola’s appointment was made without consultation or approval from the NEC, state chairpersons, youth leaders, or elected national officers.

“We are not against reform or coalition-building, but we stand firmly against imposition, backdoor politics, and elitist manipulation dressed in flowery rhetoric,” Matara stated.

The statement added, “The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading.

“Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.

“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.”

The group also issued a warning to figures from outside the party seeking to use the ADC as a coalition platform: “Be cautious. This party is not a vehicle for political merchants. The ADC belongs to its members, not to elite dealmakers.”

This reaction comes amid reports that opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi are backing the ADC as the foundation of a new coalition movement aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the next general election. Under this arrangement, Aregbesola and former Senate President David Mark were reportedly named interim secretary and chairman, respectively.

However, Matara and the Concerned Stakeholders have declared such appointments null and void, stating unequivocally that they were never sanctioned by the party’s legitimate organs.