Ado Salisu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to inclusive governance, declaring that youths and women will occupy 50 per cent of elective and appointive positions under its leadership.
Aregbesola, a former Osun State governor and ex-Minister of Interior, made the pledge in Lagos during the affirmation of former members of the PDP, Labour Party, and other political platforms who officially defected to ADC.
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Delivering a speech titled “When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win,” Aregbesola described ADC as a people-driven platform focused on rescuing Nigeria from hardship and failed leadership.
He stressed that the ADC constitution guarantees strong representation for women and young people, allocating 35 per cent to each group and ensuring a minimum of 50 per cent inclusivity.
“This is not tokenism but recognition that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice, space, and power to the underrepresented,” Aregbesola said.
He added that the ADC is not controlled by individuals but collectively driven by patriotic Nigerians committed to rebuilding the country. He warned that any government that fails to serve the people would eventually lose legitimacy.
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“The people are the centre of politics and government, not leaders or political parties. There is a limit to how much hardship citizens can endure before they react,” he noted.
Aregbesola urged members to focus on grassroots mobilisation, expanding ADC’s base, and avoiding unnecessary political clashes. He said both the PDP and APC had lost vision and become mere power-seeking platforms.
“We must not repeat the mistakes of APC and PDP. Let us build a people-oriented party from scratch,” he said.
Earlier, PDP Board of Trustees member, Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, led the group of defectors and described their move as a convergence of progressive minds determined to reshape Nigeria.
“Our gathering is not just political. It is a convergence of shared values and ideas for national transformation,” he said.
Dr. Segun Osho, who led Labour Party defectors, said their decision was necessary to rescue Nigeria from poor leadership.
The defectors included former Lagos PDP chairmen, Chief Muritala Ashorobi and Captain Tunji Shelle, PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central) Tai Benedict, Chief Niyi Adams, and former PDP Youth Leader, among other stalwarts.
ADC Lagos Chairman, George Ashiru, presented the party’s flag and statement of purpose to the new members, describing ADC as the credible alternative Nigerians have been waiting for.
The event was attended by ADC national leaders, including South-West state chairmen and other stakeholde