Politics

Nwosu: I Was Offered Ministerial Positions to Abandon ADC as Coalition Platform

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 30th, 2025.

Nwosu: I Was Offered Ministerial Positions to Abandon ADC as Coalition Platform

Ralph Nwosu, former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has revealed that government insiders attempted to dissuade him from transforming the ADC into an opposition coalition platform by offering him three ministerial appointments.

Nwosu made the disclosure during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which officially handed over ADC’s leadership to former Senate President, David Mark. At the same meeting, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was announced as the party’s National Secretary.

According to Nwosu, senior officials affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) sought to halt ADC’s emergence as the unifying front for the opposition by promising him high-level political appointments, including three ministerial slots—one for himself and two for others of his choosing—if he abandoned plans to align ADC with the coalition.

“I was approached with offers of ministerial slots—an attempt to get me to back away from using ADC as the platform for a broader opposition alliance,” Nwosu said. “But I refused. I chose the future of Nigerian democracy over personal gain. This country must not slide into a one-party system, especially after our struggle to end military rule.”

He added that the ADC has grown significantly since aligning with the coalition movement. “We now have over three million members, 28 senators, and more than 60 representatives. Nigerians are clearly disillusioned with the current ruling party.”

Nwosu noted that the July 2 declaration officially transitioning ADC into the coalition party was monitored by seven officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure regulatory compliance.

He emphasized that the decision to pass leadership to Mark was a strategic move in consolidating the party’s transformation, noting that all members of the outgoing National Working Committee (NWC) and NEC had agreed to step down. “Our constitution mandates that all elected members, active or not, are part of NEC. We took great care in selecting our successors—one wrong choice could ruin everything we’ve built.”

During the meeting, the party also adopted motions to reinstate previously expelled members and formally dissolve the Nwosu-led NWC, effective July 29, 2025. Motions were moved and seconded by party representatives from the Southwest and Zamfara, respectively, and were carried unanimously.

The newly formed National Caretaker Committee, headed by David Mark, immediately announced key appointments: Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary. Deputy National Chairmen were also selected across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The new executive members took their oath of office following the announcements.

In his inaugural address, David Mark expressed deep appreciation for the trust placed in him. “I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty,” he said. “This is not just the start of a new NEC, but the beginning of a fresh era for the ADC. We must write this new chapter together—with courage, unity, and purpose.”

Mark commended Ralph Nwosu and his leadership team for their dedication to building the party and for making way for a smooth leadership transition. He vowed to uphold transparency, internal democracy, and accountability within the party, promising a leadership style free of favoritism and imposition.

“Our mission is clear,” he continued. “We will build a professional structure from the grassroots to the national level. All members will feel ownership of this party. We’re also reserving 35% of leadership roles for women and ensuring substantial roles for youths under 40—not symbolic inclusion, but meaningful participation.”

He also announced that a 50-member policy team would soon be unveiled to define the party’s direction on key issues such as healthcare, education, technology, security, agriculture, and infrastructure. The aim, he said, is to craft a clear ideological identity for the ADC and ensure candidates are guided by shared principles.

“ADC is opening its doors to all Nigerians,” Mark concluded. “We are the only party that offers true equal opportunity, regardless of age, gender, religion, or region. Our handshake extends across all divides.”