ADC will allocate 50% positions to youth, women – Aregbesola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to allocate at least 50 per cent of elective and appointive positions to youth and women, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s future.

Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s national secretary, made the commitment in Lagos during the formal reception of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and other political groups, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State and ex-Minister of Interior, described ADC as “the party of the youth” and one focused on rescuing Nigeria.

“ADC constitution boldly affirms the place of youth and women in leadership. This is not tokenism but a recognition that Nigeria’s future lies in giving voice, space, and power to those who have long been underrepresented,” he said.

He explained that while the ADC constitution provides for 35 per cent representation each for women and youth, the overlap between both groups ensures that their combined share of positions would not fall below 50 per cent.

“This structure makes the ADC unquestionably the party of the youth,” he added.

Aregbesola stressed that ADC was not under the control of a single individual but driven by a collective of “patriotic citizens” committed to rebuilding the country.

He lamented the current hardship and uncertainty in Nigeria, warning that any government that failed to prioritise citizens’ welfare would “lose legitimacy and collapse with time.”

“No government could survive without prioritising citizens’ welfare,” he said. “Leadership must meet the basic needs of the people.”

Addressing the new members, Aregbesola urged them to focus on expanding the party’s base rather than trading barbs with rivals.

“Let’s sell our ideas to the people and ignore the distractions of dying political structures,” he said. “We must not repeat the mistakes of APC and PDP. Let us build a people-oriented party from scratch.”