Rauf Aregbesola Charges Members on Integrity, Transparency and Genuine Participation
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially flagged off its nationwide membership revalidation and registration exercise, with a strong call for integrity, transparency, and authentic grassroots engagement.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the National Secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, delivered a passionate address emphasizing that the ADC must be built on truth and genuine participation rather than inflated figures or superficial popularity.
He described the registration exercise as a defining moment for the party, stressing that credibility begins from within.
Rejecting the Temptation of Inflated Numbers
Aregbesola warned party leaders and members against the widespread political culture of padding membership registers with ghost names or duplicate entries. He described such practices as self-defeating, noting that hollow structures may appear impressive on paper but lack the real strength required to win elections, govern effectively, or uphold accountability.
According to him, “Ghost parties cannot deliver real victories or meaningful governance.”
Prioritizing Membership Integrity
The National Secretary called for the creation of a verifiable register made up of real, committed individuals. He charged party officials at all levels to take collective responsibility for auditing membership records and preventing manipulation.
He stressed that honesty in internal processes is what gives the party moral authority in the public sphere.
Cultivating Conscious and Active Members
Beyond registration, Aregbesola emphasized the importance of building a politically conscious membership base. He urged members to:
- Attend meetings consistently
- Pay dues voluntarily
- Study and understand the party’s manifesto
- Defend and promote the party’s vision daily—not only during election cycles
He noted that active engagement, rather than passive enrollment, is what sustains enduring political movements.
Modeling Democratic Sophistication
Aregbesola further highlighted ADC’s ambition to redefine democratic practice in Nigeria through:
- Transparent internal operations
- Consultative decision-making
- Strict adherence to the party’s constitution
- Respect for every member’s voice
He maintained that the party must demonstrate internal democracy before seeking to lead the nation.
Self-Governance with Accountability
The ADC leadership, he said, must hold itself to higher standards by ensuring financial transparency, clear communication of decisions, and the subordination of personal ambition to institutional processes.
“Before we seek national power, we must prove that we can govern ourselves responsibly,” he declared.
Practical Steps Forward
Outlining the roadmap ahead, Aregbesola announced plans to:
- Establish a credible and technology-driven registration system
- Train registration and administrative officers nationwide
- Invest in political education and ideological development
- Enforce participation norms within the party
- Secure sustainable funding through committed leadership
These measures, he said, will lay the foundation for a disciplined and future-ready political institution.
A Long-Term Vision for Nigeria
Concluding his address, Aregbesola described the ADC as a party being built not just for immediate political gains but for future generations. He emphasized quality over quantity, insisting that every registered member must have a genuine stake in Nigeria’s progress.
He urged members to begin the process “with clean hands and clear eyes,” affirming that the ADC is positioning itself as a principled alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape—one grounded in substance, conviction, and democratic integrity.
The membership registration and revalidation exercise is expected to continue nationwide as the party strengthens its structures ahead of future electoral engagements.
