Opposition politicians operating under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are currently facing resistance after Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was appointed as the party’s Interim National Secretary.
A segment of stakeholders has strongly rejected the decision, and Nigerians have been reacting.
The group, led by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Musa Isa Matara, recently issued a statement to condemn what they described as the “attempted takeover” of the party by Aregbesola.
According to Musa Isa, without a constitutionally recognized ADC National Convention or National Executive Committee (NEC) endorsement, nobody should have the right to speak for the party at the national level.
He stated that because NEC, state chairmen, youth leaders, and elected national officers were not involved in the decision to name Aregbesola as the Interim National Secretary, he cannot be allowed to speak for ADC.
He emphasised that portraying the coalition party as the “platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group” is very misleading, saying that several members were not informed or included in the decision-making process.
“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,” it read.
Musa Isa further warned that the members who are joining the party under the present coalition arrangement should tread carefully, citing ongoing unresolved legal disputes that stemmed from the 2023 general elections.
He concluded by saying that any coalition attempt that is built on such a shaky legal foundation is self-destructive.
“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.
These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.
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,” it added.
