South-West ADC Members Call for Suspension of Rauf Aregbesola

Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-West region have called for the immediate suspension of Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s national secretary. This demand was made during an emergency meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday.

The stakeholders expressed their disapproval of Aregbesola’s actions, particularly his establishment of caretaker committees across the region, which they claim are not authorized. They believe that other leaders within the ADC can better unify the party as it prepares for the 2027 elections.

In a statement, the group emphasized their support for the ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and pledged to work towards securing votes for the party in the upcoming elections. The communique was signed by several key figures, including Felix Ogunwale and Olufemi Soluade, among others.

The stakeholders accused Aregbesola of violating party rules by creating parallel structures and undermining the party’s constitution. They allege that he has acted against the party’s interests by collaborating with other groups and manipulating candidate nominations.

During the meeting, they highlighted the ADC’s poor performance in recent elections in Ekiti and Osun states, attributing this to Aregbesola’s leadership style. They noted that he handpicked candidates rather than allowing a fair selection process, which resulted in low voter support.

The group is determined to form a strong coalition within the ADC to improve its chances in the 2027 elections. They believe that unity among party members is essential to regain political strength in the region.