Concerned members, women leaders, youth leaders and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State on Friday staged a peaceful protest in Abeokuta, calling on the party’s national leadership to urgently intervene in the lingering crisis rocking the state chapter.
The protesters, who carried placards bearing various inscriptions, expressed concern over what they described as confusion arising from the emergence of parallel party structures, multiple state chairmen and conflicting governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the aggrieved members submitted a petition to the National Working Committee (NWC) and the national leadership of the party. The petition, signed by the ADC Youth Leader in Abeokuta North Local Government, Comrade Kazeem Baiyewu, alongside other stakeholders including Soliu Faleye, Fatai Sonde, Abosede Ogunbanjo, Faith Akinyemi and Folarin Abiola, urged the party leadership to restore order and stability within the Ogun State chapter.
The petitioners alleged that the crisis stemmed from disagreements surrounding the Ogun State governorship primary election. They claimed that one of the aspirants, Biodun Collins Ogundipe (BCO), created a parallel party structure after joining the ADC and attempted to supplant the existing leadership. According to them, the structure was allegedly backed by Dimeji Fabiyi, who reportedly claimed to be the party’s Deputy National Financial Secretary. They further argued that the congress election that produced the parallel structure had earlier been nullified by a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, making its continued existence questionable.
The protesters also challenged the legitimacy of a separate governorship primary election allegedly conducted by the parallel faction, insisting that the exercise was not carried out in accordance with the party’s constitution and approved guidelines. They maintained that while BCO was declared winner by that faction, another primary recognized by the party produced Hon. Jimi Adebisi Lawal as the governorship candidate, a development they said had deepened divisions within the party.
Calling for urgent action, the protesters appealed to the national leadership to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disputed primary election, clarify the authentic party structure in Ogun State and provide clear direction to members. They warned that failure to resolve the crisis could undermine the party’s unity, stability and electoral prospects in the state.
Reacting to the protest, a member of the Ogun ADC State Executive and Chairman of the party in Abeokuta North Local Government commended the youths for conducting themselves peacefully. He assured them that the party leadership was addressing their concerns and urged members to remain calm.
The party chieftain dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum, insisting that Otunba Olufemi Soluade remains the duly recognized Ogun State Chairman of the ADC, while Hon. Jimi Adebisi Lawal is the party’s authentic governorship candidate. He further stated that the only official state secretariat of the party is located at Itoko, Abeokuta.
According to him, the party remains united and focused on providing an alternative platform for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the ADC would emerge stronger despite the internal disagreements.
