The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the appointment of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the interim National Chairman and Secretary of the party.
Dr. Musa Isa Matara, the present National Publicity Secretary of ADC, said this in a statement obtained on Wednesday.
According to the statement, no appointment is valid until a legitimate, constitutionally backed ADC National Convention or NEC confirms leadership changes.
Dr. Matara kicked against the premise and process behind their appointments.
he said the appointment lacks due process, transparency, and the broad-based legitimacy expected in a democratic political party.
In his words: “The ADC is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group or individuals, regardless of how eloquent or ideologically polished their speeches may sound.
“Our party has structures, leadership organs, youth and women wings, and constitutional guidelines—none of which were consulted or respected in the announcement of this so-called “appointment.”
Dr. Matara said the appointments lacked a legitimate mandate, telling Nigerians to be wary of usurpers.
“Who appointed Gov. Aregbesola? Which organ of the ADC ratified this appointment?
“Was the National Executive Committee (NEC) involved?
“Were state chairmen, youth leaders, and elected national officers consulted?
“If the answer is no, as it clearly is, then this ‘appointment’ is null and void,” he said
Matara described as false claims by the Coalition that the ADC has become the “platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group,” saying the claim is misleading.
“Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.
“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty,” he stated.
He admitted that the legal crisis that has been rocking ADC for years is still unresolved.
“Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections.
“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.
“We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully.
“Be mindful that a few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain.
“The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.
“Ironically, the speech talks about internal democracy, ideological discipline, and inclusiveness—yet the very process by which Gov. Aregbesola emerges contradicts every word he just spoke.
“Democracy cannot begin with imposition. The ADC must not become another replica of the broken parties we seek to replace.
“The idea that ‘the party must be supreme’ cannot be used as a tool to silence dissent or sideline authentic party stakeholders.
“Party supremacy begins with consultation and consensus, not executive pronouncements disguised as patriotic rhetoric.
“For a speech that claims to care about youth inclusion, where was the youth wing of the ADC in all this?
“Were youth leaders, women leaders, or even ward structures consulted? Or is this just another top-down recycling of elite political control in progressive clothing?
“We stand firmly on the side of accountable leadership, transparent decision-making, and a people-powered party structure.
“Any process that excludes the very people it claims to serve is undemocratic and must be challenged.
“We call on all genuine stakeholders of the ADC across states, zones, and demographic groups to reject this attempted takeover of our party.
“We are not opposed to reform.
But we are opposed to hijack, to imposition, and to speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language.
“Until a legitimate, constitutionally-backed ADC National Convention or NEC confirms leadership changes, no one has the moral or legal right to speak for our party nationally,” he said.
(Vital News)
