Former Minister of Interior and two-term Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has officially assumed office as the interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pledging to transform the party into a vibrant, people-centred and ideologically grounded political force.
Speaking during his acceptance speech in Abuja on Tuesday, Aregbesola described his appointment by the National Opposition Coalition Group as a defining moment for opposition politics in Nigeria.
“This party will stand for something. It will not be a mere vehicle for opportunism or personal ambition, but a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people," he said.
Aregbesola, who has long been an advocate of progressive politics, used the platform to sharply criticize the current state of political parties in the country.
He argued that many parties have become hollow structures with no clear vision or ideological direction.
“Our political landscape is plagued by parties that are nothing but empty shells. They merge and split not over ideas or policies, but personalities and power. That is not the kind of party I will serve," he said.
According to him, the ADC under his stewardship would stand out by promoting internal democracy, transparency, inclusiveness, and consistent engagement with the Nigerian people beyond the election cycle.
“We must become an institution where internal democracy is not just preached but practiced; where youth, women, workers, and professionals have real voices, not token seats,” Aregbesola said.
He expressed commitment to building an organizational structure that reflects global best practices while adapting to local political realities.
Drawing comparisons with well-structured parties around the world, he cited South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC), and political party models in Sweden and Chile as examples the ADC would study and learn from.
“Our aim is to build a disciplined, visionary and responsive political institution,” he said.
“We must be a party that listens, that evolves, and that is truly connected to the hopes and struggles of the Nigerian people," he added.
Aregbesola’s return to a prominent political role has stirred fresh interest in the ADC, which has struggled in recent years to position itself as a formidable alternative to Nigeria’s dominant political parties.
His leadership, many observers believe, could inject much-needed energy and clarity of purpose into the party's national profile.
He ended his speech with a call for collective responsibility, urging members of the party and the broader opposition movement to hold him accountable and work with him to return Nigerian politics to a path of integrity and public service.
“Politics must return to its rightful place as a service to the people.
“Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he declared.
The ADC’s leadership also expressed confidence in Aregbesola’s ability to reposition the party. A senior member of the National Working Committee who spoke on condition of anonymity described his emergence as “a fresh breath of hope” for the party.
Political analysts see the development as part of a broader realignment within Nigeria’s opposition space ahead of the 2027 general elections. Whether Aregbesola’s vision will resonate with the electorate and party faithful remains to be seen, but his entry marks a new phase for a party eager to find its ideological footing.
