ADC Vows 50% Representation for Youth and Women, Welcomes Defectors in Lagos

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to prioritise youth and women in governance by reserving at least 50 per cent of elective and appointive offices for them.

The commitment was made by the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, in Lagos on Saturday during a ceremony to formally welcome defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other political groups into the ADC.

Speaking under the theme “When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win,” Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of Interior, described the ADC as a youth-driven movement positioned to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative.

He explained that the party’s constitution guarantees 35 per cent representation for women and another 35 per cent for youths, ensuring that the two groups collectively occupy no less than half of the party’s leadership and decision-making structures.

“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,” Aregbesola declared.

The party chieftain stressed that the ADC is not beholden to any single individual but is built on collective leadership by patriotic Nigerians determined to rebuild the country.

He decried the economic hardship and social uncertainty confronting citizens, warning that any government that neglects the welfare of its people risks losing legitimacy.

“Our mission is to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit. Leadership must meet the basic needs of the people or it will collapse with time,” he said.

Aregbesola urged members to focus on strengthening the ADC at the grassroots level instead of wasting resources attacking political opponents.

According to him, both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP have lost their way, becoming platforms driven mainly by the pursuit of power.

“We must not repeat the mistakes of APC and PDP. Let us build a people-oriented party from scratch,” he charged.

Earlier, Abimbola Ogunkelu, a PDP Board of Trustees member who led a delegation of defectors, said their decision to join the ADC marked the beginning of a new era in Nigerian politics.

He noted that the coalition was determined to mobilise grassroots participation and offer Nigerians honest and effective leadership.

Similarly, Segun Osho, who led defectors from the Labour Party, said their movement into the ADC was fuelled by the urgent need to rescue the country from its mounting challenges.

Another ADC leader, Kolawole Ogunwale, reminded members that words alone would not secure the party’s success, urging them to demonstrate their commitment through action and consistent mobilisation.

Among the high-profile defectors received at the event were former Lagos PDP chairmen Muritala Ashorobi and Tunji Shelle; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Tai Benedict; Niyi Adams; and a former PDP youth leader.

The Lagos ADC chairman, George Ashiru, formally presented the party’s flag, logo, and statement of purpose to Ogunkelu and other new members, symbolising their integration into the party.