Aregbesola receives PDP, LP chieftains in Lagos into ADC

National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Saturday in Lagos, assured that a new coalition is ready to rescue the country by providing good governance at all levels if voted into power come 2027.

Aregbesola, who is also a former governor of Osun State, gave this assurance at the affirmation ceremony where like-minded stakeholders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), among others, formally joined the ADC and were received by him.

He further promised that the coalition would allocate 50 per cent of elective and appointive positions to the youth and women, while also focusing on the welfare of Nigerians. He declared that the ADC is unquestionably the party of the youth and, therefore, “not owned or financed by one individual, but a collective of patriotic citizens coming together as equals to salvage a nation fast sliding into a precipice.”

Among the defectors were former chairmen of Lagos PDP, Muritala Ashorobi and Captain Tunji Shelle; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Tai Benedict; and former Lagos PDP Youth Leader, Niyi Adams, among others.

The former governor, in his speech entitled When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win, described the ADC as a party for the youth, saying that it was out to rescue Nigeria and change the narrative.

Aregbesola, while sadly observing that the country is passing through a season of hardship and uncertainty under the current leadership, stressed the need to rise above partisanship and chart a new course. He pointedly declared that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice and power to the youth, adding that the ADC’s constitution boldly affirms the place of youth and women in leadership.

The ADC chieftain, who is also the immediate past Minister of Interior, said the people are the centre of politics and governance, warning that any government which fails to make their welfare and well-being the basis of governance would lose relevance.

“ADC’s constitution boldly affirms the place of youth and women in leadership. Youth, this is your party.

“This is not tokenism, but a recognition that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice, space, and power to those who have long been underrepresented.

“The ADC’s constitution allocates 35 per cent representation each for women and youth. Since these demographics overlap, their combined representation will be no less than 50 per cent.

“This structure makes the ADC unquestionably the party of the youth. We are equally committed to internal democracy, where every member’s voice matters and every vote counts.

“We are not a party owned or financed by one individual, but a collective of patriotic citizens coming together as equals to salvage a nation fast sliding into a precipice.

“The people are the centre of politics and governance.

“Any government, whether democratic, military, authoritarian, monarchical, or by whatever definition, that does not make their welfare and wellbeing the basis of governance will soon lose relevance and die.

“There is a limit to which the people can be squeezed and pushed before something eventually gives.

“This is why our mission is urgent and our intervention has become absolutely necessary. We must act now to save the nation,” he said.

Aregbesola told the defectors that the task was to rescue the country and build a new Nigeria that the yet unborn would be proud to inherit.

He also advised party members to avoid non-productive engagement in debates and strife with those he described as agents of “dying dinosaurs.”

“The task before us is clear: we must rescue this beautiful country from the path of destruction and build a new Nigeria—a nation our children will be proud to inherit.

“ADC’s intervention is an urgent and absolutely necessary mission to save the nation. The ADC’s strategy is to build from the ground up and avoid conflict.

“I appeal to us all to diligently face our task of building the party from the bottom up and sell our ideas to the people.

“We should avoid the distraction of non-productive engagement in debates and strife with the agents of the dying dinosaurs,” Aregbesola stated.

Speaking further, the former minister declared that both the PDP and APC had lost vision and dreams, and had been reduced to mere political parties. He, however, expressed hope that Nigeria would survive, even as he charged ADC members to avoid the pitfalls of the APC and PDP and start on a new note.

“But we must note that it is not going to be business as usual. We must avoid the pitfalls of the APC and PDP and start on a new note,” he said.

Earlier, Abimbola Ogunkelu, a PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member who led other PDP stalwarts into the ADC, said there was a massive shift and movement of PDP and LP members as well as other like minds into the coalition, adding that the day’s event marked a significant milestone in a collective journey towards building a Nigeria that works for all.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards building a Nigeria that works for all.

“Our gathering here is not merely a meeting of political leaders, stakeholders and supporters; it is a convergence of shared values, progressive ideas and a renewed determination to reshape the future of our nation.

“We are particularly delighted to have among us leaders of great repute, whose presence affirms the importance of this moment,” Ogunkelu said.

“The convergence of coalitions under the banner of the ADC represents not just a political alignment but a true coming together of visionaries and patriots committed to advancing democracy, inclusiveness, and good governance in our dear country.

“The event is also a reaffirmation of a solemn declaration that together, united in purpose and conviction, we will build stronger political structures, galvanise grassroots participation, and provide credible leadership alternatives that Nigerians can trust,” he added.

Also speaking on behalf of some Labour Party members who moved into the ADC, Segun Osho said the movement became important to rescue Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

“We pledge our loyalty to the ADC, and we are getting on board to rescue Lagos State and Nigeria,” Osho said.

Also speaking, an ADC chieftain, Kolawole Ogunwale, urged members to work together to secure victory for the party, saying that they must not stand with the new coalition with just words, but should be united in purpose and goal.

“We must not stand with the ADC with just mere mouth; let us be united in purpose and goal,” he charged.

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