|By Chinwendu Nwani
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to allocate at least half of its elective and appointive positions to youths and women, positioning itself as a credible alternative to Nigeria’s dominant political parties.
The party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, made the announcement on Saturday in Lagos during a ceremony to welcome defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and other groups into the ADC.
Speaking under the theme “When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win,” Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of Interior, said the ADC’s constitution guarantees 35 per cent representation each for women and youths, ensuring their combined participation in governance will never drop below 50 per cent.
“This is not tokenism but a recognition that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice, space, and power to those who have long been underrepresented,” Aregbesola declared.
He stressed that the ADC is people-driven, not controlled by an individual, and warned that governments which neglect citizens’ welfare risk losing legitimacy. “Leadership must meet the basic needs of the people or it will collapse with time,” he cautioned.
The former minister also urged party members to build the ADC from the grassroots rather than waste energy on political rivalries, insisting that the ruling APC and the opposition PDP have lost direction and reduced themselves to 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.
Former PDP Board of Trustees member Abimbola Ogunkelu, who led a delegation of defectors, described their move as the dawn of progressive politics in Nigeria. “Our coalition is determined to mobilise grassroots participation and provide Nigerians with trustworthy leadership,” he said.
Segun Osho, who led defectors from the Labour Party, added that their decision was driven by the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
Other defectors include former Lagos PDP chairmen Muritala Ashorobi and Tunji Shelle; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Tai Benedict; Niyi Adams; and a former PDP youth leader.
Lagos ADC chairman, George Ashiru, formally presented the party’s flag, logo, and statement of purpose to the new members, symbolising their integration into the party.
