ABUJA — The South-West caucus of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over the alleged actions of its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, saying they are affecting the party’s coordination and progress in the region ahead of the 2027 elections.
The concern follows a review of the party’s just-concluded national convention in Abuja, with the South-West leadership warning that the issues extend beyond the event and reflect broader challenges around coordination, unity and preparedness in one of the party’s key zones.
The position was outlined in a statement by Dr Babatunde Oke, National Director of Communication and Programmes, speaking for the South-West leadership led by Honourable Rahman Owokoniran, after a meeting to review the convention and developments in the zone.
While stressing unity, peace and cooperation as the pathway to success, the caucus said it had identified what it described as a major internal issue affecting the region.
The caucus said the situation has persisted despite repeated communication with the party’s national headquarters.
“We have written to the national headquarters of our great party, African Democratic Congress ADC, lodged complaints severally against his actions and the negative impacts on the progress of the party in the South-West, ranging from membership registrations, party’s expansion. The worst of all is the ridiculous outings or turnout from South-West in the last national convention, to say the least,” it added.
Raising questions over alignment with party goals, the South-West leaders called for clarity.
“We have asked this question often that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola should come out plain by telling Nigerians who he is working for, the ADC or otherwise. You cannot claim you are working for ADC and at the same time destroying and sabotaging the progress,” the caucus said.
The caucus described the South-West’s outing at the convention as disappointing, especially given the region’s importance to the party.
“The representations at the just concluded national convention of our great party from the South-West is not just ridiculous but disgraceful, a region where the head of administration of the party comes from. This should call for sober reflection among the stakeholders,” it stated.
According to the statement, the issues have also affected party structures across the region.
“His actions resulted in duplicate state congresses in the region, an avoidable embarrassment,” the caucus said.
The caucus further raised concerns about parallel structures and appointments, pointing to internal disagreements within the zone.
Urging intervention, the South-West leadership called on the party’s national leadership, led by Chairman David Mark, to address the concerns and ensure stability.
“The national headquarters, led by our eminent national chairman, Distinguished Senator David Mark, should be fully aware that he has a lot at stake in the South-West and should not allow himself to be bullied by agents of distraction. We know what their agenda is and such is inimical to the success of ADC in the zone,” it stated.
They warned that internal tensions could affect the party’s prospects if not addressed.
“If they are not working for All Progressives Congress within African Democratic Congress ADC, then they should desist from creating frictions in the zone. If truly they are for the success of our great party, then they should put an immediate end to these anti-party activities and tendencies,” the caucus said.
The leaders maintained that the focus should remain on strengthening the party.
“We don’t need distractions. The party doesn’t need such at this critical stage we found ourselves. The Owokoniran-led South-West leadership of African Democratic Congress ADC demands an immediate full stop to this dangerous trend emanating from Aregbesola’s end,” the statement said.
