By Our Reporter Former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has accepted his appointment ...
By Our Reporter
Former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has accepted his appointment as the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform recently adopted by the National Opposition Coalition Group.
In an impassioned acceptance speech delivered on Tuesday, Aregbesola described his appointment as a "profound duty" and pledged to lead a transformation of the party into a vibrant, ideologically grounded institution driven by the interests of the people.
"This appointment is not just a personal honour; it is a call to duty—one that demands vision, sacrifice, and a total commitment to rebuilding politics as a force for good," he said.
The former governor thanked the leadership of the party for their trust and paid tribute to all committed members who continue to believe in the primacy of party structures in democratic governance. He emphasized that political parties must go beyond election machinery and instead become “institutions for mobilizing, educating, and empowering the people toward emancipation and development.”
He warned against the prevailing trend of opportunism in Nigerian politics, lamenting the ideological vacuum in many parties that split and merge not over principles or policy, but over personalities and power.
“Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth,” Aregbesola said. “They are empty shells—merging and splitting without substance, driven by selfish ambition rather than national interest. That is not the kind of party I will serve.”
Drawing inspiration from the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, which he described as “imperfect but principled,” Aregbesola called for a return to parties with soul, clarity of vision, and ideological conviction. He pledged to steer the ADC toward becoming such a party.
As National Secretary, he outlined a vision rooted in transparency, internal democracy, and service to citizens. He promised to build a party that is accessible to young people, women, and marginalized groups—not as tokens, but as stakeholders with real power. He also called for the institutionalization of autonomous platforms within the party for critical sectors such as security, education, agriculture, and persons with disabilities.
“We must model international best practices in party administration and ethics. From South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya—we will study what works and adapt it to our reality,” he said.
He further emphasized that the ADC must be a party that delivers on public education, creates jobs, and ensures community safety—not just during campaigns, but in the daily business of governance.
“This will not be easy. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice. But it can be done,” he stated, calling on party members and Nigerians at large to support the vision with action, not just applause.
“Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we restore the soul of our party and return politics to its rightful place—as a service to the people,” he declared.
The appointment of Aregbesola is seen by observers as a major signal of a strategic shift within the ADC as it positions itself to lead a credible national opposition platform.
Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he concluded.
No comments