South-west ADC dismisses petition against Aregbesola, says critics lack authority

The South-west leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, rejecting a petition by group within the party seeking his removal and insisting that those behind the move are not recognised leaders of the party in the region.

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The development marks the latest twist in the internal disputes the opposition party is grappling with ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At a meeting of recognised national and zonal officers held in the South-west, party leaders unanimously dismissed allegations that Mr Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, manipulated the party’s structures or influenced the emergence of candidates, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Mr Aregbesola, who governed the South-west state from 2010 to 2018 and later served as the Minister of Interior during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration from 2019 to 2023, is the highest ranking and arguably the most influential member of the ADC in the region.

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The former governor, a former ally of President Bola Tinubu, left the APC and joined the ADC last year, in the fallout of his sour relationship with the president and former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who succeeded him in Osun.

The meeting clearing Mr Areegbesola was attended by several national and zonal officials, including the National Director of Communication and Strategy, Olatunji Shelle; Zonal Organising Secretary, Omolara Oseni; Deputy National Financial Secretary, Oladimeji Fabiyi; Deputy National Woman Leader, Kafila Olayiwola; Zonal Woman Leader, Lydia Olafunmiloye; and Bode Ojerinde, among others.

In a communiqué signed by the party’s South-West National Vice Chairman, Akinbowale Omole, the zonal leadership maintained that decisions relating to congresses, primary elections and candidate nominations are constitutionally taken by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), not by the National Secretary acting alone.

The party said the petition calling for Mr Aregbesola’s removal was authored by individuals who neither represent the ADC’s recognised leadership in the South-west nor possess the authority to speak on behalf of the region.

“The allegations against the National Secretary are baseless, unsubstantiated and misleading,” the communiqué stated.

According to the leadership, the petitioners are individuals who had previously challenged the party’s leadership in court after rejecting reconciliation efforts, adding that their latest actions reflected dissatisfaction following recent legal setbacks.

The zonal leadership argued that the National Secretary merely implements decisions reached by the party’s highest organs and therefore could not be held personally responsible for outcomes approved by the NEC.

It also accused the petitioners of attempting to shift responsibility for controversies arising from party congresses and primary elections, alleging that they themselves disregarded party directives during the exercises.

ADC internal disputes persist

The latest exchange underscores lingering divisions within the ADC following its congresses and primary elections ahead of the 2027 polls.

The controversy comes as the party’s national leadership, headed by Chairman David Mark, continues efforts to consolidate the party after months of legal disputes and internal disagreements involving rival factions.

While reaffirming confidence in Mr Aregbesola, the South-west leadership warned individuals claiming to represent the zone without official recognition to desist from what it described as impersonation.

It further cautioned that continued attempts to undermine the recognised leadership could compel the party to publicly disclose details of meetings allegedly held by those opposing the current national leadership.