The Southwest zonal leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind the party's National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, while rejecting a petition calling for his removal. The leadership described the petition as baseless, unsubstantiated, and misleading, attributing it to disgruntled elements with no legitimate standing within the party.
The position was made public in a communique issued on Monday, August 3, 2026, after a meeting of recognised zonal and national officers from the Southwest. The meeting was led by the National Vice Chairman for the zone, Rt. Hon. Akinbowale Omole, who addressed journalists after the session.
Petition Traced to Defeated Loyalists
The zonal leadership traced the petition to loyalists of Kachikwu Ibe and Hon. Abejide, who recently lost a case at the Court of Appeal against the ADC. The petition had been addressed to the party's National Chairman, Sen. David Mark, demanding Aregbesola's immediate removal.
However, the leadership said the authors were parading themselves as party leaders in the Southwest, a status that the national leadership does not recognise. It urged all party members to disregard the petition and continue to work within the framework of the party's constitution.
Allegations Against Aregbesola Dismissed
The communique specifically responded to allegations that Aregbesola had created parallel structures within the party and manipulated primary election outcomes. The leadership dismissed these claims, noting that such decisions fall under the purview of the National Executive Committee (NEC), not the National Secretary.
'The composition of the primaries committees, the conduct of the primaries, and management of the outcomes are the decisions of the National Executive Committee of the party and not that of the National Secretary,' the statement read.
The leadership further explained that all primary results were duly approved by the NEC before names were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the ADC constitution. This established process, it argued, meant Aregbesola could not be held personally responsible for any primary-related outcomes.
Warning to Dissenters
The officers also pointed out a glaring contradiction in the accusers' position. They noted that the same individuals now accusing Aregbesola had earlier ignored party directives and breached the party constitution during congresses and primaries.
'It bears noting that those now making these accusations are the same persons who disregarded party directives and breached the party constitution during congresses and primaries, only to turn around and accuse the National Secretary of the very conduct they themselves engaged in,' the communique read.
The group issued a stern warning, threatening to release details of private meetings held between the dissenting faction and groups opposed to both Sen. David Mark and Aregbesola if the impersonation of party leadership continues. 'We will not submit the affairs of this party to rascals,' the statement added, urging the group to return to constituted authority.
A total of seven senior party officers signed the communique. They are Omole, National Director of Communication and Strategy Capt. Olatunji Shelle, Zonal Organising Secretary Mrs Omolara Oseni, Dr. Bode Ojerinde, Deputy National Financial Secretary Hon. Oladimeji Fabiyi, Deputy National Woman Leader Alh. Kafila Olayiwola, and Zonal Woman Leader Chief Mrs Lydia Olafunmiloye.
Related: ADC Warns Tinubu Over El-Rufai
In a related development, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that President Bola Tinubu will bear personal responsibility if any harm befalls former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai while in detention. Abdullahi made the remarks in an interview on Symfoni, highlighting el-Rufai's deteriorating health in custody as a serious concern.
Abdullahi argued that the circumstances surrounding el-Rufai's prolonged detention have less to do with law and more to do with political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
