Aregbesola urges ADC to build credible membership structure

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called for integrity and transparency in political party membership processes, saying political organisations must prioritise credible structures over inflated figures. Aregbesola spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the flag-off of the party’s membership revalidation, mobilisation and registration exercise. Addressing party members, he […]

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called for integrity and transparency in political party membership processes, saying political organisations must prioritise credible structures over inflated figures.

Aregbesola spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the flag-off of the party’s membership revalidation, mobilisation and registration exercise.

Addressing party members, he said political parties should focus on building functional and accountable structures rather than merely projecting numerical strength.

“Across the political landscape, parties often become preoccupied with the appearance of size,” he said. “Registers may look impressive, but what truly matters is the strength and credibility of the structure behind those numbers.”

He cautioned against practices that undermine public trust in party institutions.

“The ADC must not follow that path. We must resist, with every fibre of our conviction, the temptation to bloat our figures with imaginary people. It does not help us. It does not strengthen us,” he said.

According to him, accurate documentation and verification of members are essential to building a sustainable political platform.

“What we need — what we must build with urgency and discipline — is a membership register of integrity. Every name must belong to a real person. Every person must be documented, verified and accounted for. This is not bureaucracy; this is the architecture of trust,” Aregbesola stated.

He urged party leaders at all levels to ensure compliance with transparent registration procedures.

“Every one of us, from national leadership down to the ward level, must work together to ensure that only real people are registered and properly documented. No leader should look the other way when registrations are padded. No officer should accept figures that cannot withstand scrutiny,” he said.

Aregbesola also emphasised the need to cultivate active and informed membership within the party.

“We do not want members who exist only as names in a database. We want conscious members — men and women who understand what this party stands for and are willing to work for it,” he said.

He added that members should be committed to the party’s ideals beyond election periods.

“A conscious member pays their dues because they are invested. A conscious member studies the party manifesto, understands its policy positions, explains our vision to their neighbours, and defends our principles in the public square,” he said.

The ADC national secretary said the party aims to strengthen internal governance and promote political education among members.

“The African Democratic Congress does not seek merely to participate in Nigeria’s democracy. We seek to redefine it. We aspire to be the model of democratic sophistication in our operations, in our internal governance, and in the ownership every member feels over this institution,” Aregbesola said.

He stressed that party members must make participation in meetings, dues payment, and other activities a standard practice.

“We must build a culture where paying dues, attending meetings and participating in party activities is the norm, not the exception,” he added.