Former Osun State Governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has accepted the role of Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant shift in the opposition’s political landscape.
Aregbesola’s appointment, announced during a high-level opposition coalition meeting in Abuja, comes alongside the selection of former Senate President David Mark as Interim National Chairman. The ADC has been adopted as the main platform for the coalition’s efforts to challenge the ruling party.
In his acceptance speech, Aregbesola criticized the current state of Nigerian politics, lamenting that most parties lack ideological depth and are driven by personal ambition rather than principles or policies. He described the ADC as a party “forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity, and true freedom.”
Aregbesola pledged to transform the ADC into a vibrant, ideologically grounded institution that prioritizes the interests of the people. He emphasized that political parties must serve as institutions for mobilizing, educating, and empowering citizens, not just as vehicles for winning elections or advancing personal ambitions.
He called on party members and Nigerians to hold him accountable, promising to build a party rooted in democratic values, social justice, accountability, and national development. “Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we begin this journey to rebuild our party, restore its soul, and return politics to its rightful place as a service to the people,” Aregbesola declared.
Observers see his appointment as a signal of strategic repositioning within the ADC and a renewed push for credible opposition ahead of the next general elections.
