Tension is mounting within the Oyo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as concerned youth stakeholders and party members have formally petitioned the national leadership over alleged plans to impose candidates ahead of the party’s forthcoming primary elections.
In an open petition dated Monday, 18 May 2026 and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, and the National Secretary, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the concerned members urged the leadership to urgently intervene and protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process in Oyo State.
The petition received by Oduduwa News, signed by “Concerned Youth Stakeholders, African Democratic Congress, Oyo State,” raised alarm over what it described as deliberate attempts by certain individuals within the state chapter to impose preferred candidates, particularly for the Oyo Central Senatorial District ticket and the House of Representatives seat for Oyo Federal Constituency, ahead of the primary election scheduled for Friday, 22 May 2026.
According to the petitioners, the alleged moves have sparked widespread concern among party faithful, youth stakeholders and aspirants who have invested significant time, resources and credibility in building the ADC’s grassroots structures across the state. They expressed worry that credible aspirants are being sidelined through what they termed “backdoor arrangements,” while candidates with little connection to the grassroots and limited visibility among party members are being promoted.
The aggrieved members emphasized that internal democracy remains the bedrock of any credible political party, warning that any attempt to impose candidates could undermine trust, discourage loyal members and damage the ADC’s growing reputation as a viable alternative political platform.
“The imposition of candidates sends the wrong signal to Nigerians, especially young people who are beginning to see the ADC as a genuine platform for transparent and people-driven leadership,” the petition stated.
They called on the national leadership to ensure that the forthcoming primary election in Oyo State is conducted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner, stressing that every aspirant must be given an equal opportunity to test their popularity through a legitimate democratic process without interference or manipulation.
The petitioners also urged the party leadership to closely monitor developments in Oyo State and guarantee that only financial members of the party are allowed to make independent choices based on their convictions and the overall interest of the ADC.
Describing the current moment as a defining period for the party, the concerned stakeholders warned that decisions taken now would significantly shape public confidence in the ADC ahead of future elections.
“We remain committed members of the ADC and believe that justice, fairness and transparency must prevail,” the petition concluded.
As political activities intensify ahead of the party primaries, attention is now focused on how the national leadership will respond to the concerns raised, amid growing calls for accountability and strict adherence to democratic principles within the party.
The copy of the petition is reproduced below.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Sen. David Mark
The National Chairman
African Democratic Congress
No. 2 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent,
Wuse II, FCT-Abuja
H. E. Rauf Aregbesola
The National Secretary
African Democratic Congress
No. 2 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent,
Wuse II, FCT-Abuja
Distinguished leaders of our great Party,
OPEN PETITION: SAVE ADC IN OYO STATE FROM CANDIDATE IMPOSITION
We write under the umbrella of concerned youth stakeholders and committed members of the African Democratic Congress in Oyo State who remain deeply committed to the growth of our party and the democratic values it represents.
As the party prepares for its forthcoming primary elections scheduled for Friday, 22 May 2026, we feel compelled to draw the urgent attention of the national leadership to disturbing developments within certain quarters in Oyo State where deliberate attempts are allegedly being made to impose preferred candidates on party members, particularly in relation to the party’s Oyo Central Senatorial District ticket and the House of Representatives ticket for Oyo Federal Constituency.
These reports have created growing concerns among party faithful, youth stakeholders and aspirants who have invested time, resources and credibility in building the party’s structure across the state. Of particular concern are alleged attempts to sideline credible aspirants through backdoor arrangements while promoting candidates who are largely unknown to grassroots members and have little or no connection with the struggles and aspirations of the people they seek to represent.
We believe strongly that the strength of any political party lies in its ability to uphold internal democracy. The imposition of candidates undermines trust, discourages genuine party members and damages the credibility of the party before the general public. It also sends the wrong message to young people who are beginning to see the ADC as a genuine alternative platform for transparent and people-driven leadership.
We therefore call on the national leadership of our great party to urgently intervene and ensure that the forthcoming primary election in Oyo State is conducted in a manner that is free, fair, transparent and credible. Every aspirant must be allowed to test their popularity through a legitimate democratic process without interference, manipulation or imposition.
We also urge the national leadership to closely monitor activities in Oyo State and ensure that financial members of the party are allowed to make independent choices based on their convictions and the interest of the party.
This is a defining moment for our party. The decisions made now will shape public confidence in the ADC ahead of future elections. We must not allow avoidable actions to weaken the trust that many Nigerians are beginning to place in our party.
We remain committed members of the ADC and believe that justice, fairness and transparency must prevail.
Signed,
Concerned Youth Stakeholders
African Democratic Congress
Oyo State, Nigeria