On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was appointed Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who reportedly joined the party in March 2025. In his acceptance speech, Aregbesola lamented Nigeria’s political landscape, describing most parties as “empty shells” driven by power and personality rather than ideology or public interest. He praised the ADC for its commitment to justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity, and freedom, positioning it as a platform with “character and soul” to address Nigerians’ aspirations. Aregbesola, a two-term Osun Governor (2010–2018) and former Lagos Commissioner for Works under then-Governor Bola Tinubu (1999–2007), outlined his vision to build an ideologically driven ADC rooted in democratic values, social justice, accountability, transparency, and national development. He called for active support and accountability from party members, urging them to challenge him if he deviates from these principles.
Aregbesola’s appointment follows his fallout with President Tinubu in 2023, after serving as Minister of Interior under President Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023). His critique of Nigeria’s political structure aligns with recent defections to the ADC, including El-Rufai, amid dissatisfaction with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu’s governance, criticized for economic woes (33.9% inflation, NBS April 2025) and insecurity (2,500 terrorism deaths in Q1 2025, ACLED). Aregbesola’s move to the ADC, which polled 0.4% in the 2023 presidential election (INEC), signals a push to strengthen opposition ahead of 2027, with the party reportedly in coalition talks with figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi (Punch, June 20, 2025)
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