ADC's Existence Rooted in Constitution, Not INEC, Says Aregbesola
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has firmly stated that the party's existence is derived from the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, rather than from any individual or the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Aregbesola made this declaration while presenting the Secretariat report at the 8th ADC National Convention held recently in Abuja. He emphasized that the ADC's legitimacy is founded on the aspirations and will of Nigerians who are disillusioned with what he described as widespread deceit and mismanagement of the country.
Criticism of INEC's Absence
The party strongly criticized INEC for its failure to attend the convention, accusing the commission of dereliction of duty. According to the report, Nigerian law mandates INEC to monitor party conventions and related activities. "As a party, we have fulfilled our obligations. It is now the responsibility of INEC to attend and monitor our convention," the report stated. The ADC maintained that it has not been proscribed by any law or court order, thereby retaining the right to conduct its lawful activities. It further alleged that INEC's actions indicate a partisan stance aimed at delegitimizing the party's efforts.
Call for International Attention
The ADC called on the international community to take note of what it termed emerging anti-democratic tendencies involving the ruling party and INEC. The party described itself as being on a rescue mission to save Nigeria from the "strangulating grip" of the current administration, asserting that the country is worth all necessary sacrifices and that kakistocracy must not be allowed to thrive.
Economic and Social Criticisms
In its report, the ADC also challenged the Federal Government's claims regarding economic management. It argued that the naira has depreciated significantly, with the exchange rate worsening from about N700 to the dollar in 2023 to approximately N1,400, representing a 100 percent devaluation. "In an import-dependent economy, this is devastating," the report noted. Additionally, the party highlighted the surge in petrol prices from between N185 and N238 per litre before the current administration to about N1,400 per litre, making transportation costs prohibitive for many workers.
Power Supply and Education Concerns
On power supply, the ADC reported a deterioration, with some regions receiving an average of only two hours of electricity daily, while others face prolonged outages lasting weeks or months. The party criticized the administration for failing to improve electricity supply despite earlier promises, suggesting that an honest president should step down under such circumstances. Furthermore, the ADC expressed alarm over the rising number of out-of-school children, which has increased from 18.3 million to about 20 million, and noted that approximately 130 million Nigerians are now multidimensionally poor.
ADC's Growth and Future Plans
Describing Nigeria as being in dire straits, the ADC urged citizens to join its rescue mission and take decisive action. The report highlighted that within nine months of its unveiling on July 2, 2025, the party has transformed into a major opposition force and a source of hope for Nigerians. It stated that the ADC has spent the past months consolidating its structures nationwide in preparation for the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that attempts to undermine its efforts will fail as Nigerians reclaim their country.
