ADC Vows To Give Half Of All Party Positions To Youth And Women

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to prioritise youth and women by reserving at least 50 per cent of both elective and appointive positions for them.

National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola made the commitment on Saturday in Lagos during a ceremony formally welcoming defectors from the PDP, Labour Party, and other groups into the ADC.

In his address titled “When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win,” Aregbesola described the ADC as a party of young people determined to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.

“ADC’s constitution boldly affirms the place of youth and women in leadership. This is not tokenism but recognition that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice, space, and power to those long underrepresented,” he said.

He explained that the party’s constitution guarantees 35 per cent representation each for youth and women, ensuring a combined representation of no less than 50 per cent. “This structure makes the ADC unquestionably the party of the youth,” Aregbesola added.

The former Osun State governor and Minister of Interior said the ADC is a collective of patriotic Nigerians rather than a party controlled by one individual. He lamented the growing hardship and uncertainty across the country, warning that any government failing to prioritise citizens’ welfare would lose legitimacy over time.

“Our mission is to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit. Let’s sell our ideas to Nigerians and ignore the distractions of dying political structures. PDP and APC have lost their vision; they are now just power-seeking platforms,” Aregbesola said.

He urged members to expand the party’s grassroots base and avoid repeating the mistakes of Nigeria’s dominant parties.

Earlier, PDP Board of Trustees member Abimbola Ogunkelu, who led the group of defectors, described the move as the dawn of a new era in progressive politics. He said the coalition would mobilise grassroots participation and offer trustworthy leadership.

Segun Osho, who led a team of Labour Party members into the ADC, said their defection was necessary to rescue Nigeria, while party chieftain Kolawole Ogunwale charged members to demonstrate real commitment to the party’s vision.

The defectors included former Lagos PDP chairmen Muritala Ashorobi and Tunji Shelle, PDP Lagos Central vice chairman Tai Benedict, Niyi Adams, and other notable stalwarts.

ADC Lagos chairman George Ashiru presented the party flag, logo, and statement of purpose to Ogunkelu, formally sealing their entry into the party.