As Mark, Aregbesola take oaths of office
Opposition parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) are locked in supremacy battle.
Following a dig at the PDP by the ADC, the former ruling party on Tuesday fired back at the ADC now taken over by coalition politicians led by Atiku Abubakar.
The PDP accused some ADC members of being ‘’known agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’’ whose goal was to dislodge the ruling party from power in 2027.
It specifically referred to ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, whom it described as an APC-indoctrinated individual, as being pivotal to the ADC attacks
Abdullahi had told a national television station that the PDP can hardly play an opposition role effectively because it was never designed to function as an opposition party
“PDP wasn’t built to be an opposition party; it was built to govern. So when it found itself in a strange place in 2015, everything began to spiral downward,” Abdullahi, a former minister said.
But in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described Abdullahi’s comments as reckless and revealing.
The PDP accused him of acting out a script to try to derail its growing momentum as the nation’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said ‘’the APC-indoctrinated Abdullahi ought to give more attention to the ruling party as a former insider than attacking the PDP.
The statement reads: “The PDP, as the leading opposition party, commanding the respect, loyalty and solidarity of overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the country and which is also the broad-based platform driving the aspiration of Nigerians to oust the APC in 2027 will not descend to join issues with the ADC or any other opposition party in the country for that matter.’’
The PDP said in spite of the defection of some of its members in recent months, it remained firmly rooted across the country with an “organic support base” that no media attacks by ADC or any other party can undermine.
It said: “Moreover, it is instructive to state that the PDP, as presently constituted, has more than enough presidential personalities with clear records of achievement and capacity to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at any time”
Mark, Aregbesola, Lawal, others take over ADC leadership
Former Senate President David Mark, ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, and General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd) have assumed key leadership roles in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
They became members of the party’s newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday.
Former Edo State Governor Oserheimen Osunbor is the National Legal Adviser.
On July 1st, the opposition coalition announced the adoption of the ADC as the platform to contest in 2027.
It announced Mark as Interim National Chairman, Aregbesola as Interim National Secretary and Abdullahi as Interim Publicity Secretary.
Nwosu announced his resignation at the event attended by leading opposition figures in the country.
The day after, Nwosu wrote to INEC convening Tuesday’s NEC meeting .
Tuesdays NEC paved the way for the disengagement of Nwosu-led NWC and replacement with the new members.
How the NEC brought in Mark, others
They NEC meeting was held at an Abuja hotel.
At 7:11 pm, Razak Eyiowuawi, South West Zonal Chairman, moved a motion for the resignation of members of Ralph Nwosu-led NWC.
Kabiru Garba, Zamfara State Chairman, seconded it, and the motion was approved in a voice vote.
At 7:25 pm, the former National Organising Secretary, Ibrahim Sulieman, moved the motion for the dissolution of the Nwosu-led NWC in accordance with Article 19(12)(vii) and 19(14)(s) of the ADC 2022 constitution.
It was seconded by Charles Omidiji from Osun State.
The motion was put to a voice vote, and it was carried.
A members of the party said last night that the dissolution of the Nwosu-led NWC and the takeover by the Mark-led team is contrary to the constitution of the party.
According to him: “Article 23, Clause 4 of the ADC Constitution states that If a vacancy arises in any party office, the appropriate Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement from the same zone or constituency as the outgoing office holder.
“This appointment is to remain in effect until a new election is conducted at the next congress or convention.
“Another provision of the party’s constitution is that for anybody to hold an executive office, he must have stayed for two years in the party.”
At 7:52 p.m., the new NWC members took the oath of office and were sworn in by the former National Legal Adviser, Peters Iyiola Oyewole.
The NEC meeting and subsequent event was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
All newly appointed official were present during the brief ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Mark warned that the new leadership would not tolerate anti-party activities by members.
Noting that structural reforms would be carried out, Mark emphasised building a competent party bureaucracy, sustainable financing mechanisms, and zero tolerance for indiscipline.
“We will build a technically competent bureaucracy for the party and ensure structured financing. All members will truly own the party.
He stressed that the new leadership would be anchored on collective decision-making and full adherence to democratic ideals, adding: “We shall be committed to full democratic practices and principles that abhor imposition and special privileges.
“Internal democracy, transparency, and accountability will be our mantra. We will guarantee collective leadership at all levels.”
“We will open the gates for the next generation. Our policies, nominations, and leadership roles will reflect meaningful inclusion of youths and women and not just tokenism.
Mark commended the Nwosu-led NEC for the job it did for nurturing the party to the level it attained today.
The party also announced that it would field candidates in the 15 constituencies for the forthcoming by-elections.
The new NEC would hold its inaugural meeting today.
More than 500 NEC members from across the country filled the hall in a lively atmosphere.
Before bowing out, Nwosu said: “This is not just a NEC meeting; this is a moment for us to reflect and decide our way forward. It is a rebirth.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, told The Nation that inclusivity is a core focus of the new leadership and would be actively pursued.
