ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FORMER OSUN STATE GOV RAUF AREGBESOLA ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE INTERIM NATIONAL SECRETARY, ADC - The party platform adopted by the National Opposition Coalition Group

Dear Party Leaders, Distinguished Members, Friends, and Fellow Citizens,

It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party and that I accept the appointment as  The National Secretary of our great party.

I thank the leadership for the trust reposed in me. But more than that, I thank every committed member of this party are those who still believe that politics can be a force for good,  people who believe that party forms government and must control it. Those who believe in the supremacy of the party in a democracy and all products of democratic contests. Those who recognise that parties must stand for and with the people in the promotion of their interests and aspirations. That parties therefore are not merely machines for winning elections but institutions for mobilizing, organizing, energizing, educating, empowering and encouraging the people towards their emancipation and development.

Let me begin by saying this: a political  party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution—built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.

Throughout Africa’s history, and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa; a 113 year- behemoth of party organization that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve. The ANC  is not perfect—but it stands  for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.

Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.

Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells—merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.

That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.

As The National Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass—a party that is absolutely committed to the people,  rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.

We must become an institution where:

 (1) Internal democracy is not just preached but practiced.

 (2) Intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just.

 (3) All party structures from the ward to the national level and function effectively and efficiently.

 (4) Young people, women, and the marginalized have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion.

        (5) All special and critical interests(security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc., must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.

We will model international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics. We will study what works—from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya, and adapt what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us.

We must be the party that talks about public education and actually builds schools. That speaks of security and supports real policies to keep our communities safe. That believes in jobs and works to create them. That stands for Nigeria not just during elections, but in everyday governance.

This is not an easy task. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice. But it can be done.

I ask for your support not just in words, but in action. Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we begin this journey to rebuild our party, restore its soul, and return politics to its rightful place—as a service to the people.

Thank you, and may our work ahead be worthy of the hopes our people place in us.

Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

HISTORY ON OUR SIDE: Remarks By Dele Abiola At The South West Obedient Conference In Lagos

 Protocols:

I want to first of all congratulate every member of the Obidient Movement in the South West for this first ever convergence of the movement in the zone. I equally want to congratulate Dr. Yunusa Tanko led national leadership of the movement . Congratulations on this miles stone achievement.

Sir Dele Abiola in the middle 

However, my message to us all in the South West and beyond is that there are tremendous and inexcustable histories on our side . When I say history, I do not mean history of slavery and colonialism as many usually alluded our history to such an infringement which were perpetrated against our land and our fore fathers which the global community has not properly addressed till date 

By our history, I mean how our forebears conquered this once forests region of West Africa. I mean how our ancient ancestors came down here and through shared determination, perceiverance and persiverance and how through their resilient Spirits faced wild animals and dangerous reptiles, how against all forms of entanglement developed different tools that enable them to turned the forests to hamlets, villages and towns. They built an ever growing metropolitan cities and kingdoms of notes which metamorphoused into an empires, even without any external contribution or support, instead, foreigners visited here intermittently to learn the true arts of good governance and orderliness.

Such a history of courage, valour and foresightedness in leadership abound in all parts of this country and the entire African continent as I am too certain that though our gathering here today is tagged South West, but people from different parts of the country are here and are well represented. Therefore, as I may want to make reference to the Ancient Oyo Empire here in the South West, we can also talk of the flourished Seven Independent Housa City States of Rano, Kano, Gobir, Biram, Daura, Katsina and Zaria. If we want to turn to the east, then we will have to talk of the memorable Acephalous or Egalitarian Igbo society where different age grades played pivotal roles in community development.

Coming home to the Old Oyo Empire,  there were orderliness and developments, insecurities were tamed to a halt, there was no hunger, food security was second to none as they produced what they were eaten then and they flourished beyond measure.

We are the children and descendants of those who developed an advanced system of governance of their times. The people of other races visited here to learned and copied from.  (For instance, British Monarchial system is just a version of the Yoruba Traditional Monarchial system. History has it that they came here in the earliest century to observe Yoruba Political system. They were given "Thrown and Crown of authority around 10th century which are still among the most treasured assets in the king's palace in London till date.)

 Our fore fathers' advanced governance thrived effectively for many centuries before it crumbled before those with advanced weapons as a result of internal strives and sabotage. Hence the fall of the empire, hence slavery, succeeded by colonialism. Hence Independent struggles by our heroes, hence why we are here today. The challenge is that since independence in 1960, the country has moved from one pogrom to another which I will not be able to itemized one after the other here.  And that more than ever before, the country Nigeria is sliding the more into anarchy. Lives have become worst and very cheap and nasty . Death , kidnaping and all forms of terrorism are the first class citizens of our land as Fear and panicking rules from North to South, East to West. People now Caged.

I dare to tell us all and every Nigerian where ever they may be or they may have run to, as they may have opportunity to hear my message that Messiahs of our land are not coming from any elsewhere but certainly we are the Messiahs that must rise against all odds just like our fathers against wild beasts and reptiles of the forests, create a New Nigeria of our dreams, an inheritance we can bequest to our children and yet unborn generations to come.

Finally, our efforts in 2023 elections were very great and tremendous but not enough to make our votes count,  not enough to place the control of the government on our laps. We need to do more and should dare to do more. To mobilise polling unit by polling unit, to vote and ensure our votes count this time around. We must not give in to any intimidation and threats, our goals , aims and objectives are not against any known law. They are legal and are meant to deepening the core Democratic values, promote Egalitarianism which are core values and principles upon which this country was founded. A New Nigeria is Possible!

Dele Abiola 

Member, Supporting Adversary Council, Obidient Movement