The African Democratic Congress (ADC) witnessed a peaceful protest in Ogun State on Friday as concerned members, women leaders, youth leaders, and stakeholders voiced their dissatisfaction over the party’s unresolved crisis.
The protesters were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions expressing their displeasure over the division in the party.
They also submitted a petition to the National Working Committee (NWC) and the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress, urging them to intervene in the matter.
The petition, which was made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, was signed by the ADC Youth Leader in Abeokuta North Local Government, Comrade Kazeem Baiyewu.
According to the protesters, the continued disagreement within the party has created confusion, weakened confidence among members, and distracted the party from its common goals.
They urged the national leadership and the National Working Committee to urgently intervene, investigate the issues surrounding the Ogun State governorship primary election, clarify the authentic party structure in the state, and provide clear direction to all members and stakeholders.
Other signatories to the petition include Soliu Faleye, Fatai Sonde, Abosede Ogunbanjo, Faith Akinyemi, and Folarin Abiola.
“We, concerned members and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, write to respectfully draw your attention to the ongoing crisis within our party in the state and seek urgent intervention before the situation causes further division and damage to our party.
“The continued disagreement and uncertainty have created confusion, weakened confidence among party members, and distracted the party from its common goals.
“If urgent steps are not taken to address this crisis, it may further damage the unity, stability, and electoral prospects of the party in Ogun State. We respectfully call on the national leadership to intervene promptly and restore peace, fairness, and order within the party.
“Our concern stems from developments surrounding the Ogun State governorship primary election. One of the aspirants, Mr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe, popularly known as BCO, joined the party and met an already existing party structure with recognised leaders and stakeholders.
“However, it appears that rather than working within the established structure, he created a parallel structure and sought to replace the leadership he met upon joining the party. His actions were facilitated and funded by Mr. Dimeji Fabiyi, who claimed to be the Deputy National Financial Secretary of the party.
“Meanwhile, we understand that the congress elections from which their parallel structure emerged were declared null and void by a judgment delivered by Justice Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, thereby making the existence of the parallel structure patently illegal, if not outrightly contemptuous of the court’s ruling.
“Furthermore, it is alleged that they conducted a separate governorship primary election outside the constitution, guidelines, and procedures approved by the party.
“We understand that this exercise was not conducted in accordance with the officially recognised party process and was reportedly held without the presence of INEC observers. Despite this, they allegedly declared BCO the winner and governorship candidate of the party.
“Their actions directly resulted in a petition addressed to the National Chairman and ultimately led to the resignation of the third aspirant, Dee Doc, from the party.
“On the other hand, other aspirants participated in the primary process recognised by the party, from which Mr. Jimi Lawal (JAL) emerged as the governorship candidate. Since the conclusion of the primary election, the party in Ogun State has remained deeply divided, creating uncertainty among members, supporters, and stakeholders regarding the future direction of our great party.
“We are therefore calling on the National Leadership and the National Working Committee to urgently intervene, investigate the issues surrounding the Ogun State governorship primary election, clarify the authentic party structure in the state, and provide clear direction to all members and stakeholders.
“Our appeal is made in the interest of peace, unity, justice, and the progress of ADC in Ogun State. We remain loyal to the constitution, rules, and guidelines of our party and believe that only the intervention of the national leadership can restore confidence and stability.”
Meanwhile, a member of the Ogun ADC State Executive Committee and the party chairman in Abeokuta North Local Government, while reacting to the protest, commended the youths for organising a peaceful demonstration.
He urged them to remain calm, assuring them that the party would not fail them ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The party chairman maintained that there is no crisis in the party, insisting that Otunba Olufemi Soluade remains the authentic state chairman and that Hon. Jimi Adebisi Lawal remains the only governorship candidate of the ADC.
He said, “We understand our youths and we want to thank them for organising a peaceful protest. They expressed their anger and dissatisfaction over the issues affecting the party.
They said they do not want two state chairmen and two governorship candidates, and we have told them that we have only one state chairman, Otunba Olufemi Soluade, and one ADC governorship candidate, Hon. Jimi Adebisi Lawal.
“The only ADC state secretariat is located here in Itoko, along June 12 Road. We have explained everything to them and assured them that the party will not fail them.
“Nigerians are tired of the current government. There is hunger everywhere. ADC is ready to take over in 2027.”
