Alhaji Rahman Akanni Owokoniran, a former Lagos State Housing Commissioner, has been named and sworn in as the South-West zonal chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by Senator David Mark, the party’s national chairman.
This comes as the party refuted claims that it is experiencing a crisis in the zone in a statement released in Lagos following the formation of the zonal executive committee chaired by Owokoniran.
However, the statement, which was signed by Mr. Coker Onita, a party chieftain, insisted that the ADC is still determined to take the party away from the All Progressives Congress (APC). It also warned party members to be cautious of deceptive and anonymous publications that are going around under the name “ADC Lagos State Stakeholders Forum.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Bamidele Ajadi, who is the highest ranking national officer of the party in Southwest, duly inaugurated and swore in Hon. (Alhaji) Rahman Akanni Owokoniran as the South West Zonal chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) today with the full consent, approval, and authority of the National Chairman of ADC, His Excellency Senator David Mark, and the national leadership of the party,” Onita continued.
The party went on to say: “Any assertion that the national leadership of ADC has disowned the South-West zonal leadership is completely untrue, misleading, and purposefully designed to mislead party members and the public.
Additionally, the party sees this anonymous publication as a part of a concerted effort by supporters and agents of the ruling APC to create internal strife, sow division, and destabilize the ADC, especially in the Southwest where the party is still gaining ground and gaining credibility.
According to Coker Onita, the ADC Lagos State Stakeholders Forum is a faceless organization that the party’s leadership is unaware of. They are also seen as fifth columnists that work for the ruling party with the express purpose of dismantling the party.
Anonymous charges are acts of subversion rather than accountability in a democratic political organization, the party declared. The authors of this paper ought to have the guts to openly declare their names, stances, and mandates if they genuinely believe they are ADC stakeholders.
“The ADC will adamantly oppose APC-sponsored infiltration, disinformation, and bad-faith politics that seek to undermine legitimately elected party leadership, but it does welcome constructive criticism, internal discussion, and lawful engagement.”
“ADC is still unified, committed, and focused on creating a viable alternative for Nigerians.” The national government fully supports and acknowledges the legitimacy of the South West zonal leadership, which is led by Hon. Rahman Owokoniran.
