The South-West leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its full weight behind the Party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, dismissing calls for his removal as unfounded while reaffirming that the Party remains united under its recognised zonal leadership.
The declaration follows the emergence of a petition seeking Aregbesola’s removal from office, a move the South-West leadership described as lacking legitimacy and driven by individuals who do not represent the Party’s recognised structure in the region.
Speaking after a meeting of the Party’s national and zonal officers from the South-West held on Monday, the leadership insisted that the allegations levelled against the former Osun State Governor were false, misleading and unsupported by facts.
The meeting was chaired by the ADC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Akinbowale Omole, and attended by several national and zonal officials, including the National Director of Communication and Strategy, Capt. Olatunji Shelle; Zonal Organising Secretary, Mrs. Omolara Oseni; Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hon. Oladimeji Fabiyi; Deputy National Woman Leader, Alhaja Kafila Olayiwola; Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs. Lydia Olafunmiloye; and Dr. Bode Ojerinde, among others.
In a communiqué released after the meeting, the South-West leadership rejected the petition addressed to the Party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, which demanded Aregbesola’s removal as National Secretary.
According to the communiqué, those behind the petition were not recognised leaders of the ADC in the South-West and therefore lacked the authority to speak on behalf of the region.
The leadership further alleged that the petitioners were individuals who had previously dragged the Party into legal disputes after refusing reconciliation efforts initiated by the Party leadership.
It argued that the accusations against Aregbesola ignored the constitutional responsibilities attached to the office of the National Secretary.
According to the Party leaders, the National Secretary does not independently determine the outcome of congresses, primary elections or candidate selection but merely carries out decisions approved by the Party’s highest decision-making organs.
The communiqué explained that the National Executive Committee (NEC), rather than the National Secretary, approved the outcome of the Party’s South-West primary elections before candidates’ names were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The officials maintained that every stage of the primaries, including the appointment of committees, supervision of the electoral process and ratification of results, was handled collectively by the NEC in line with the provisions of the Party’s constitution.
For that reason, the leadership argued that allegations accusing Aregbesola of creating parallel Party structures or manipulating primary elections were both illogical and constitutionally inaccurate.
The South-West leadership insisted that the petition deliberately ignored these constitutional procedures in an attempt to tarnish the image of the Party’s National Secretary.
Party leaders also accused the petitioners of engaging in the same actions they were now attributing to Aregbesola.
According to the communiqué, the individuals behind the petition allegedly disregarded Party directives and breached internal rules during previous congresses and primary elections before turning around to accuse the National Secretary of similar conduct.
The leadership claimed that their latest actions reflected frustration after unsuccessful attempts to destabilise the Party from within.
It stated that Aregbesola remained committed to protecting the Party’s constitutional order despite internal disagreements.
The meeting further reaffirmed that the ADC’s recognised South-West leadership remains under the chairmanship of Akinbowale Omole.
The officials warned individuals allegedly parading themselves as leaders of the Party in the zone to stop what they described as impersonation.
They also cautioned that if such actions continued, the Party could make public details of meetings allegedly held between the petitioners and groups opposed to the leadership of National Chairman, Senator David Mark and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.
The latest disagreement highlights continuing tensions within the ADC as the Party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The Party has experienced several internal disputes in recent months over leadership, congresses and the conduct of primary elections.
Some of those disagreements have already found their way into the courts, reflecting broader struggles over the Party’s control and organisational structure. Earlier this year, leadership disputes involving the David Mark-led national leadership and rival factions resulted in several court proceedings, including cases challenging the legitimacy of the Party’s national executives.
Despite those legal battles, the ADC leadership under Senator David Mark has continued efforts to project stability and strengthen internal unity ahead of the next general election. The Party has repeatedly maintained that its current leadership emerged through legitimate internal processes and has defended the roles of both Mark and Aregbesola in managing Party affairs.
Political observers believe that resolving internal disagreements will be crucial for the ADC as it seeks to position itself as a major opposition platform before the 2027 elections.
For now, however, the South-West leadership has made its position unmistakably clear, insisting that in Rauf Aregbesola, it retains its full confidence and support while dismissing the removal campaign as an effort by unauthorised individuals to create confusion within the Party.
The leadership urged members across the South-West to remain loyal to the recognised Party structure and avoid being misled by groups it described as acting outside the constitution of the ADC.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, the latest statement underscores the Party’s determination to present a united front despite ongoing internal disagreements and legal challenges.