Members, State Chairmen, Candidates, Elders and Stakeholders of ADC in the South-West
The attention of all members, particularly the duly recognised State Chairmen, candidates and critical stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-West, has been drawn to a purported “South-West ADC Leadership Strategy Meeting” scheduled for Tuesday, 25 August 2026, in Ibadan, and signed by Hon. Akinbowale Omole, described in the notice as National Vice Chairman, South-West.
It is important that members remain calm and exercise the utmost restraint in responding to this invitation. However, the circumstances surrounding the purported meeting make it necessary to state clearly that the meeting should not be accorded legitimacy by the recognised leadership structures, candidates and stakeholders of the Party.
A Meeting Without a Legitimate Mandate
The organisers of this meeting have no valid legal or party instrument conferring on them the authority to summon the recognised State Chairmen, candidates or leadership structures of the South-West to such a meeting.
The Party cannot be operated through self-appointed or otherwise unauthorised structures, particularly at a time when questions concerning the legitimacy of party offices and structures remain subject to judicial and constitutional processes.
Accordingly, all legacy State Chairmen duly recognised by the courts and the Party, as well as all candidates who emerged from congresses conducted under the supervision of the legally recognised State Chairmen and observed by INEC, are strongly advised to disregard this invitation.
Attendance should not be construed as an endorsement of a structure whose legal and constitutional authority to convene such a meeting is in serious question.
This is not a question of personalities. It is a question of legitimacy, due process, party discipline and the preservation of the integrity of the ADC.
The Party Has No Time for Another Disastrous Electoral Experiment
The ADC cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that have brought the Party to the present precarious position.
The recent off-cycle governorship elections in the South-West should constitute a sobering lesson to every genuine stakeholder. The Party reportedly secured approximately 3 percent of the total votes cast in Ekiti State and only about 1.7 percent in Osun State.
These figures are not merely statistics. They are a serious warning.
They demonstrate the urgent need for strategic restructuring, genuine reconciliation, disciplined organisation, effective candidate coordination and a unified campaign architecture ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What the Party requires now is not another meeting designed around competing claims to authority. What we need is a legitimate, inclusive and result-oriented process capable of rebuilding the Party from the ward level to the presidential campaign structure.
A Legitimate Strategic Process Is Already Underway
For the avoidance of doubt, the recognised State Chairmen, concerned elders and critical stakeholders in the South-West are already putting their heads together to develop selfless, practical and result-oriented strategies capable of preventing another electoral disaster.
Preparations for 2027 are already in top gear.
The elders and State Chairmen's joint committee is also preparing for a two-day strategic meeting with all candidates across the South-West, where critical issues concerning candidate coordination, grassroots mobilisation, campaign structures, messaging, resource mobilisation and the relationship between constituency campaign structures and the presidential campaign organisation will be comprehensively considered.
The objective is to build one coordinated campaign structure capable of delivering electoral results for ADC in 2027.
Such a process must necessarily be anchored on legitimate party structures and must enjoy the confidence of the recognised leadership, candidates and stakeholders.
Candidates Should Continue Their Constituency Engagements
In the meantime, candidates and stakeholders are encouraged to remain focused and continue their familiarisation meetings, consultations and grassroots engagements within their respective constituencies.
There is no need for anxiety or unnecessary confrontation.
Members are urged to remain calm, disciplined and committed to the collective objective of rescuing the Party from the cycle of internal disputes and poor electoral performance.
A formal call-to-action meeting will be communicated by the appropriate and recognised body at the appropriate time.
A Call for Unity and Responsibility
At this critical juncture, every genuine member of ADC must place the interest of the Party above personal ambition, factional calculations or the pursuit of positions.
The 2027 election is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of internal rivalry.
We therefore appeal to all recognised State Chairmen, candidates, elders, leaders and stakeholders across the South-West to ignore the purported meeting of 25 August 2026 and remain committed to the legitimate process currently being developed by the recognised leadership structures.
Our collective responsibility is to build a Party that can win elections—not merely conduct meetings.
ADC must not go into 2027 with the same disorganisation that produced the disastrous outcomes of previous elections. We must organise, reconcile, strategise and win.
The time for political gamesmanship is over.
The time for disciplined preparation, genuine unity and electoral victory is now.
Signed:
Concerned Stakeholders and Recognised Leadership Structures of ADC in the South-West
1. Alhaji Mohammad Ashorobi.
2. Engineer Olajide Adeniji
3. Prof. Olatunji Olateju
4. Prof. Aderemi Adedibu -
5. Chief Alani Opaleye
6. - Chief Ibini Meshak
7. Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka
8. Senator Felix Ogunwale - Osun State
9. Major Raphael Towobola- Osun Statr
10. - Hon. Ilesanmi Omolayo - Chairman, Ekiti State
11. Alhaji Yinka Olona - Chairman. Oyo State
12. Otunba Olufemi Soluade - Chairman Ogun State
13. Hon. Eyiowuawi Razak
14. Alhaja Sidikatu Ganiyu- Ondo State
15. Amb. Babatunde Oke
16. Adebimpe Adelowo Esq
17. Hon. Jide Kolade
18. Hon. Rahman Owokoniran
19. Otunba Jimi Lawal