South-West ADC backs Aregbesola, rejects removal petition

The South-West leadership of the African Democratic Congress has declared its support for the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and rejected calls for his removal, saying the allegations against him have no basis. The position was made known on Monday after a meeting of recognised national and zonal party officials from the region.

The meeting was led by the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-West, Akinbowale Omole, and attended by several national and zonal officers. The leaders said a petition seeking Aregbesola’s removal did not come from the recognised leadership of the party in the South-West and should not be treated as representing the position of the zone.

According to the zonal leadership, those behind the petition are individuals who had earlier challenged the party in court after rejecting several reconciliation efforts. The group said the same individuals recently lost their legal battle at the Court of Appeal and are now attempting to create fresh disagreements within the party.

The South-West leaders maintained that the allegations against Aregbesola ignored the constitutional duties of the National Secretary. They explained that the office of the National Secretary does not have the authority to approve candidates or create parallel structures within the party. They stated that decisions on party primaries and the approval of candidates are made by the National Executive Committee in line with the party’s constitution.

The group also said the list of South-West candidates for the 2027 general election was approved by the National Executive Committee before it was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission. It added that the organisation of the primaries, the composition of committees and the final approval of candidates were collective decisions taken by the party’s leadership and not by Aregbesola alone.

The leadership further stated that those accusing Aregbesola had themselves failed to follow party rules during previous congresses and primary elections. It accused them of attempting to weaken the party after failing to achieve their objectives through internal disputes and legal action.

The South-West ADC reaffirmed that Akinbowale Omole remains the recognised leader of the party in the region and warned individuals claiming to speak for the zone without authorisation to stop doing so. It also warned that further attempts to impersonate the party’s leadership could lead to the release of details about meetings allegedly held with groups opposed to the national leadership.

The latest disagreement reflects the internal challenges within the ADC following its congresses and primary elections as the party continues preparations for the 2027 general election under the leadership of National Chairman David Mark.