South-West ADC disowns rival factions, insists only one legitimate convention exists

The African Democratic Congress's South-West leadership has voiced its opposition to what it terms parallel party structures in the zone, emphasizing that none of the congresses conducted in the region have garnered official recognition from the national leadership, according to a statement by Dr Babatunde Oke, National Director of Communication and Programmes.

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This development has exacerbated an internal dispute within the party's South-West faction, where competing claims to leadership and rival congresses are now being openly contested, thereby raising concerns about cohesion in the run-up to future elections.

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The South-West leadership, under the helm of Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, has accused certain individuals of presenting themselves as executives without the requisite approval, as stated in a communiqué.

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The statement declared, "It has come to the notice of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress ADC South-West under the leadership of Honourable Rahman Owokoniran of the nefarious activities of some group of strangers parading themselves as South-West executives."

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Acknowledging the right to associate, the leadership cautioned against actions that could potentially weaken the party's structure, underscoring that such associations must not compromise the integrity of the African Democratic Congress ADC.

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The statement noted, "While we appreciate the right of every Nigerians to associate, such an association must not prejudice the integrity of our great party, African Democratic Congress ADC."

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The existing directive from the party's national leadership, which halted the public presentation of newly elected state officials, was cited in the statement, prompting questions about the basis of any claims to the contrary.

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The statement pointed out, "It is in a public domain that the national leadership of African Democratic Congress ADC issued a press release, stopping any public display of the newly elected state officials across the country in ‘quote’ till a set date."

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The leadership then posed a question, "Having said that, how can a non verifiable group claim they are showcasing what has not been in the record of the party?"

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The statement also took issue with claims made by an individual in Osun State, Abosede Busayo Oluwaseun, who purportedly spoke as a party spokesperson, describing this as an affront to the party's integrity and a violation of its image and reputation.

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The leadership further alleged that parallel congresses were conducted across the South-West, attributing this development to the actions of individuals working against the party's progress, stating, "Double congresses were conducted across almost all the states in the South-West owing to the unpopular and ignoble actions of this group, hell-bent on sabotaging the progress of the party in the zone."

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The group emphasized that none of the congresses in the zone have been formally recognized by the national leadership, querying, "As at now, no official acknowledgement of any congress in the South-West by the national leadership of the party, where did he get the power to do so?"

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The leadership insisted that no individual or group can act outside the collective structure, stating, "No individual or group of individuals have the locus standi to dictate to the national leadership of the party."

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The statement also said, "We want to reiterate again that Rauf Aregbesola is not the only member of the National Working Committee of the ADC," underscoring the importance of collective authority within the party.

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The leadership dismissed any meeting said to have taken place in Ibadan, stating, "No such meeting was conveyed in Ibadan on the authority of the South-West leadership."

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The South-West leadership reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the party's rules and directives, declaring, "We are law-abiding party men and women. We work by the rules. We are guided by the laid down directives and principles commissioned by the national headquarters of the party."

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The statement emphasized, "We will never compromise on sanity and common sense," while calling for intervention from the national leadership and expressing concerns about influence within the party's structure.

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The South-West leadership reiterated its dedication to the party's success, urging all members to act in line with its objectives and stating, "We reaffirm our greatest respect to African Democratic Congress ADC and its leadership."

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The statement concluded, "We are working frantically to ensure the party succeeds in the coming elections."