By Our Political Correspondent
Abuja, July 1, 2025 — Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has officially assumed office as the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the newly adopted platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group, with a strong call for a return to ideological politics and people-centered party leadership.
In his acceptance speech delivered in Abuja on Tuesday, Aregbesola expressed deep gratitude to the party’s leadership and faithful members for what he described as a “profound trust” reposed in him at a critical moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party that I accept the appointment,” Aregbesola declared.
The former federal minister emphasized that political parties must go beyond being mere vehicles for personal ambition or electoral victory, insisting that the ADC under his watch would be redefined as an ideological institution focused on mobilizing, organizing, educating, and empowering citizens.
“Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, Aregbesola highlighted the ANC’s historic struggle and institutional strength as a model of party supremacy over government—a concept he said is largely absent in Nigeria’s political terrain today.
“Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality,” he lamented.
Aregbesola promised to steer the ADC toward becoming a disciplined and principled institution rooted in internal democracy, transparency, and inclusion. He outlined five key pillars that would guide the party’s transformation, including:
- Genuine internal democracy.
- Transparent and just intra-party competition.
- Functional and effective structures from ward to national levels.
- Real, not tokenistic, inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized groups.
- Institutional recognition of critical interest groups such as farmers, educators, professionals, and persons with special needs.
He further pledged to model the party’s internal organization on international best practices, citing examples from South Africa, Sweden, Chile, and Kenya, while tailoring reforms to Nigeria’s socio-political realities.
“Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us,” Aregbesola concluded.
His appointment comes at a time of growing realignment within the opposition camp, with the ADC positioning itself as a rallying point for progressives seeking an alternative to the current dominant parties.
The second part of the former governor’s address is expected to outline his roadmap for immediate structural reforms and party strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
READ ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BELOW
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH by: GOV RAUF AREGBESOLA on appointment as THE INTERIM NATIONAL SECRETARY, ADC – The party platform adopted by the National Opposition Coalition Group – Tuesday, 1st July, 2025 – PART 1 of 2
Dear Party Leaders, Distinguished Members, Friends, and Fellow Citizens,
It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party and that I accept the appointment as The National Secretary of our great party.
I thank the leadership for the trust reposed in me. But more than that, I thank every committed member of this party are those who still believe that politics can be a force for good, people who believe that party forms government and must control it. Those who believe in the supremacy of the party in a democracy and all products of democratic contests. Those who recognise that parties must stand for and with the people in the promotion of their interests and aspirations. That parties therefore are not merely machines for winning elections but institutions for mobilizing, organizing, energizing, educating, empowering and encouraging the people towards their emancipation and development.
Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.
Throughout Africa’s history, and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa; a 113 year- behemoth of party organization that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve. The ANC is not perfect but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.
Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.
Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.
That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.
As The National Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass, a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.
We must become an institution where:
(1) Internal democracy is not just preached but practiced.
(2) Intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just.
(3) All party structures from the ward to the national level and function effectively and efficiently.
(4) Young people, women, and the marginalized have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion.
(5) All special and critical interests(security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc., must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.
We will model international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics. We will study what works from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya, and adapt what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us.
