Abuja, Nigeria — Tuesday, July 2, 2025
A major crisis is brewing within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the rejection of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s Interim National Secretary.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the rejection came shortly after the announcement of Aregbesola’s appointment alongside former Senate President David Mark, who was named Interim National Chairman. However, key stakeholders of the ADC have strongly condemned the move, declaring that “our party is not for sale.”
Dr. Musa Isa Matara, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, in a strongly worded statement, described Aregbesola’s appointment as unconstitutional and a calculated attempt to hijack the party structure.
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“This decision did not follow due process and was not approved by any legally constituted organ of the party. We reject the imposition of individuals without the consent of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) or a national convention,” Dr. Matara said.
He added that the ADC remains committed to internal democracy and would not allow political godfathers or external influences to derail the vision and mission of the party.
“We cannot fold our arms and watch a few individuals attempt to sell our collective struggle. The ADC is a party built on principles, and we will not allow any hijack. The party is not for sale,” he declared.
The controversial appointment has sparked sharp division within the party, with many grassroots members and state chapters expressing discontent over what they describe as a backdoor takeover orchestrated without proper consultation.
Observers believe the recent appointments may be part of a broader political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some prominent opposition figures exploring new platforms to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
As tensions rise, political analysts warn that the party leadership must tread carefully to prevent a full-blown internal crisis that could threaten the party’s cohesion ahead of the next election cycle.
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Efforts to reach Mr. Aregbesola for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
