The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday in Ilesa, Osun State, called on Nigerians to join the ADC, saying the party has the capacity to fight banditry and other violent crimes if it is allowed to form the next government. He spoke after completing the revalidation of his party membership card at his ward in Ilesa East.
Aregbesola’s position was contained in a statement issued in Osogbo by Oluwaseun Abosede, who heads the media and publicity arm of the party in the state. During the gathering at Ward 8, Ifofin, Aregbesola told his supporters that he joined the ADC because the party reflects the qualities he considers important, such as discipline, strong character, competence, and integrity. He said these values shaped his decision and made him believe the ADC can guide Nigeria out of its current security and governance struggles.
He said the country needs a government that will confront the violent attacks affecting many communities, including the recent incident in Kwara where gunmen entered a church, killed worshippers, and abducted others. Aregbesola urged Nigerians to register with the party and support a movement that aims to tackle insecurity through firm policies and a disciplined leadership approach.
Earlier, the membership registration and revalidation exercise was launched by the committee in charge of the process. The Secretary of the committee, Senator Sodiq Yaradua, and several party leaders were present at the event. Yaradua explained that the newly introduced ADC membership card carries 12 advanced security features to prevent forgery and protect the system’s credibility. He noted that Aregbesola was the first person in the country to be revalidated under the new registration system and encouraged members across the country to visit their wards to complete their own registration.
Yaradua also announced that an online portal for new and existing members would soon be introduced, making registration easier for people of all ages and reducing the stress of physical paperwork.
The exercise continued with Hon. Kamil Akinlade Mudashir, who leads the membership mobilisation and registration committee in Osun State, formally completing Aregbesola’s revalidation.
Aregbesola has been vocal about the party’s plans and frequently speaks about the direction he believes the ADC can offer. In September 2025, he told party members that the ADC aims to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. He said the party has developed a grassroots strategy that would help it gain support both at the national level and in Lagos State, where it hopes to take control of government.
He made the declaration at an event in Lagos where Moshood Salvador, leader of the Labour Party’s Conscience Forum, brought his members into the ADC. Leaders from across Lagos State’s local governments and LCDAs attended the meeting.
During his address, Aregbesola urged the new members to work with total commitment toward the party’s goals. He said the ADC plans to capture power in 2027 by using a structure where each active member will bring in ten new members, who will then add ten more each. He said this method will build a wide and loyal network of voters across the country and give the ADC the strength it needs to win both the presidential election and the governorship race in Lagos.
He added that the future of the party depends on consistent work from members, steady growth at the grassroots, and a shared goal of replacing the current government.