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A former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, have been appointed as the interim Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress, the coalition platform being positioned against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to multiple reliable sources who were present at the just-concluded meeting on Tuesday night in Abuja but requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak, leaders of the opposition coalition unanimously agreed on Mark and Aregbesola for the roles.
The sources further disclosed that a former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, has been appointed as the interim National Publicity Secretary.
The sources further disclosed that the ADC and its newly constituted leadership will be formally unveiled in Abuja tomorrow.
Subsequent reports by Punch confirmed that Senator Mark has been selected as the coalition’s interim chairman under the ADC platform, with a formal unveiling slated for Wednesday.
One of the sources said Aregbesola who earlier rejected the offer changed his mind and accepted it after he was prevailed upon by the stakeholders.
He stated, “We just concluded a meeting tonight. Mark and Aregbesola have been appointed as the ADC Interim National Chairman and National Secretary.
“This will be officially unveiled tomorrow (Wednesday), so we are on track.”
Another source added, “Atiku and other coalition leaders met tonight and resolved to adopt the ADC as their platform after months of consultations.
“For now, the ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has stepped aside to allow Mark and Aregbesola take over as interim Chairman and Secretary.
“You know Aregbesola rejected it some time ago, but he was prevailed upon by stakeholders, so he has accepted to serve in that capacity. All of this, and more, will be made public tomorrow. Former Minister of Sport, Bolaji will serve as National Publicity Secretary.”
Confirming the development, Kola Ologbondiyan, a former aide to the ex-Senate President and former PDP National Publicity Secretary, announced in a tweet via his verified X account that the ADC has been adopted.
He stated, “African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political party for the coalition. The party has elected Sen. David Mark as the Interim National chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the interim National. Secraetary.”
See Aregbesola Acceptance Speech Below;
Below is my full acceptance speech as the General Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE INTERIM NATIONAL SECRETARY, ADC – The party platform adopted by the National Opposition Coalition Group – Tuesday, 1st July, 2025
Dear Party Leaders, Distinguished Members, Friends, and Fellow Citizens,
It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party and that I accept the appointment as The National Secretary of our great party.
I thank the leadership for the trust reposed in me. But more than that, I thank every committed member of this party and those who still believe that politics can be a force for good; people who believe that parties form government and must control it; those who believe in the supremacy of the party in a democracy and all products of democratic contests; those who recognise that parties must stand for and with the people in the promotion of their interests and aspirations; that parties therefore are not merely machines for winning elections but institutions for mobilizing, organizing, energizing, educating, empowering and encouraging the people towards their emancipation and development.
Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.
Throughout Africa’s history and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, a 113-year behemoth of party organization that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve.
The ANC is not perfect, but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.
Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.
Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.
That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.
As The National Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass, a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.
We must become an institution where:
(1) Internal democracy is not just preached but practiced.
(2) Intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just.
(3) All party structures from the ward to the national level and function effectively and efficiently.
(4) Young people, women, and the marginalized have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion.
(5) All special and critical interests (security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc. must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.
We will model international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics. We will study what works, from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya and adapt to them into what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us.
We must be the party that talks about public education and actually builds schools. That speaks of security and supports real policies to keep our communities safe. That believes in jobs and works to create them. That stands for Nigeria not just during elections, but in everyday governance.
This is not an easy task. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice. But it can be done.
I ask for your support not just in words, but in action. Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we begin this journey to rebuild our party, restore its soul, and return politics to its rightful place – as a service to the people.
Thank you, and may our work ahead be worthy of the hopes our people place in us.
Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola