NB247
Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to join the African Democratic Party(ADC) as the party promises to provide a better life for the people.
Mr Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior under the Buhari administration, also observed that life has become short and brutish under the current administration led by Bola Tinubu.
He made this statement on his official X handle on Monday, where he informed of a meeting organised by the leadership of the Conscience Forum, where the merger into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was formally declared.
He also attended a meeting and the mobilization tour in Badagry, Lagos State where members of the Labour Party and the Obidient Movement joined the ADC.
”Life has become short, hard and brutish for our people under the current anti-people government,” Mr Aregbesola said.
”We cannot continue on this path. The time has come to provide leadership that will secure a better Nigeria for our children and for generations to come.”
Mr Aregbesola also attempted to clear what he termed as misconceptions about the ADC’s ideology.
”Some have said that the ADC has no ideology. That is not correct. The ADC is a people-centred party, committed to running a mass-based, People-Friendly Government (PFG). Our constitution speaks clearly to this,” he argued.
”For instance:•Article 7, Section 3, Subsection 1 expressly forbids moneybags, godfathers, and exploitative elites from having undue influence in the party.
”Section 14 of the same section makes it clear that no individual will be allowed to pocket or dominate the party. The ADC belongs to all – it can never be anyone’s personal property.
”Article 12, Section 4 guarantees women a minimum of 35% representation in elective and appointive offices.
”Article 13, Section 4 provides the same guarantee for young people. This means women and youth will together constitutionally occupy no less than 50% of party and elective positions.”
He said the stated provisions are unprecedented in Nigeria’s political history and remain unmatched by any other political party since independence., adding that it was the reason the coalition hasld chosen the ADC as its platform.
”The 2022 constitution already offers these safeguards and will continue to be improved upon,” he said.
”I therefore call on all Nigerians to join this party of the people.
”The ADC is the way forward – a people’s party for a people’s government.”
The former governor was a strong ally of the President, but things fell apart as the contests for the 2023 elections threw up a number hostile interests.
Reports had it that Mr Aregbesola’s interest in running for the President drawing inspiration from the then government of Mr Buhari further worsened the relationship between them.
