A former Lagos State Housing Commissioner, Alhaji Rahman Akanni Owokoniran, has been appointed and sworn in as the South-West zonal chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by Senator David Mark, the party’s national chairman.
This comes after the party refuted claims that it is experiencing a crisis in the zone in a statement released in Lagos following the formation of the zonal executive committee chaired by Owokoniran.
But according to the statement, which was signed by Mr. Coker Onita, a party chieftain, the ADC is still determined to take the party away from the All Progressives Congress (APC). It also warned that party members should be cautious of deceptive and anonymous publications that are going around under the name “ADC Lagos State Stakeholders Forum.”
“To be clear, with the full consent, approval, and authority of the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), His Excellency Senator David Mark, and the national leadership of the party, Hon. (Alhaji) Rahman Akanni Owokoniran was duly inaugurated and sworn in as the South West Zonal chairman of the ADC today by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Bamidele Ajadi, who is the highest ranking national officer of the party in Southwest,” Onita continued.
“Any claim that the South-west zonal leadership has been disowned by the national leadership of ADC is completely false, misleading, and purposefully calculated to deceive party members and the general public,” the party noted.
In addition, the party sees this anonymous publication as a part of a concerted effort by supporters and agents of the ruling APC to create internal strife, sow division, and destabilize the ADC, especially in the Southwest where the party is still gaining ground and gaining credibility.
As fifth columnists working for the ruling party with the express purpose of dismantling the party, Coker Onita characterized the ADC Lagos State Stakeholders Forum as a faceless organization that is unknown to the party’s leadership.
Anonymous charges are acts of subversion rather than responsibility in a democratic political organization, the party declared. The authors of this paper should have the guts to openly declare their names, stances, and mandates if they genuinely believe they are ADC stakeholders.
The ADC will firmly oppose APC-sponsored infiltration, disinformation, and dishonest politics that seek to undermine legitimately elected party leadership, but it does encourage constructive criticism, internal discussion, and lawful engagement.
“The ADC is still unified, committed, and focused on creating a viable alternative for Nigerians.” Under Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, the South West zonal leadership is regarded as authentic, acknowledged, and completely supported by the national
