ADC Pledges Half Of Positions To Youths And Women

The African Democratic Congress has announced that young people and women will take up half of all elective and appointive positions under its leadership.

The move was made public in Lagos during the reception of members from the PDP, Labour Party, and other groups who officially joined the party.

National Secretary of the party, Rauf Aregbesola, described ADC as a platform designed to give space to voices often left out of governance. He explained that the party’s constitution sets aside 35 per cent of positions for women and another 35 per cent for youth, creating a system that guarantees no less than 50 per cent inclusive representation.

The event also served as a rallying point for defectors who see ADC as an alternative to the two main parties. Former PDP leaders and members, including ex-Lagos chairmen Muritala Ashorobi and Tunji Shelle, alongside Labour Party representatives led by Segun Osho, were formally welcomed into the fold. They argued that Nigeria’s current challenges require new alliances and fresh leadership.

Speakers at the gathering said the country is going through tough times and needs a political force that places people before power. Aregbesola stressed that leadership must focus on citizens’ welfare, warning that no government can remain stable without addressing the daily struggles of the population.

Party leaders told members that ADC would not repeat the failures of PDP and APC. Instead, the goal is to build a grassroots-driven movement that avoids needless conflicts and channels energy toward rebuilding the nation. The emphasis was placed on selling ideas directly to Nigerians rather than trading words with rival parties.

Those who defected to ADC described the shift as more than a political move. They said it represents a union of shared values, a determination to reshape governance, and a clear step toward credible leadership. They promised to work with unity and dedication to strengthen the party’s reach and credibility.

ADC leaders concluded the event by urging members to act with discipline and purpose, comparing the mission ahead to a collective march toward national recovery. With its promise of broad inclusion and grassroots empowerment, the party positioned itself as a credible option for Nigerians searching for new political direction.