The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that it will prioritise youth and women by providing 50% of elected and appointed seats to them.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s National Secretary, made the statement in Lagos at the affirmation of PDP, the Labour Party, and other defectors to ADC.
In a speech titled “When Good People Unite, Nigerians Win”, Aregbesola, a former Osun governor and Minister of Interior, called ADC the party of the youth and one committed to rescuing Nigeria.
He stated the ADC constitution ensures strong representation for young people and women, and that inclusive leadership is critical to Nigeria’s future.
According to him, the country is experiencing hardship and uncertainty, and Nigerians must rise above partisanship to establish a new direction.
He stated that every administration must keep the people at the centre of politics and governance in order to remain relevant.
“No government could survive without prioritising citizens’ welfare,” he said, adding that leadership must meet the basic needs of the people.
“This is not tokenism, but recognition that Nigeria’s future lies with giving voice, space, and power to the under-represented,” he said.
He claimed that ADC reserves 35% for women and an additional 35% for youth, resulting in a minimum of 50% inclusive representation.
According to him, ADC is led by a group of patriotic patriots who want to reconstruct the country.
“The people are the centre of politics and government, not leaders or political parties,” he added.
Aregbesola cautioned that any administration that fails to serve the people will lose legitimacy and dissolve over time.
“There is a limit to how much hardship people can endure before they react,” he stated.
He stated that Nigeria’s situation requires ADC’s immediate involvement, calling members to act aggressively to save the country.
He informed the new members that ADC’s aim is to create a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit.
“Our mission is urgent. ADC will build from the grassroots and avoid needless conflicts,” he said.
He pleaded with members to focus on expanding the party’s base and avoid wasting time engaging political opponents.
“Let’s sell our ideas to the people and ignore the distractions of dying political structures,” he said.
He mentioned that both PDP and APC have lost vision and been reduced to ordinary power-seeking political platforms.
“We must not repeat the mistakes of APC and PDP. Let us build a people-orientated party from scratch,” he said.
