Ogun State ADC Suspends Key Figure, Names Caretaker Committee
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nigeria’s Ogun State has suspended Jimi Adebola Lawal, a prominent party member and former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing serious anti-party activities. The suspension, announced on Saturday, accompanies the formation of a caretaker committee to manage the party’s affairs in the state until a new state congress is held.
Femi Soluade, the ADC State Chairman, confirmed the developments in a statement released in Abeokuta, the state capital. He framed the actions as essential steps in a comprehensive restructuring drive intended to restore internal harmony and democratic order within the state chapter.
According to Soluade, Lawal’s suspension stems from conduct fundamentally at odds with the party’s principles. “We have suspended Mr. Jimi Adebola Lawal and declared him a non-member of the party due to activities inconsistent with the principles and internal democratic framework of the ADC,” the statement read.
The chairman provided specific allegations, asserting that Lawal sought to unconstitutionally dominate the party by systematically acquiring control of two local government structures. He claimed these actions involved the dismantling of previously established state and local leadership frameworks, destabilizing the party’s grassroots organization.
In a move to reverse this alleged takeover, Soluade announced that the party has reinstated the original, democratically elected leadership in the affected local government areas of Ijebu Ode and Sagamu. This restoration is presented as critical to re-establishing a balanced and inclusive internal structure.
The immediate appointment of a state caretaker committee, led by Soluade’s administration, signifies the party’s intent to exercise direct oversight during this transitional period. The committee’s mandate is to stabilize operations and prepare for a fresh, credible state congress that will elect new leadership.
This internal crisis and subsequent intervention highlight ongoing challenges within the ADC, a party that, while not among Nigeria’s largest, holds significance in coalition politics. The resolution of this dispute and the successful conduct of the pending state congress will be closely watched as indicators of the party’s cohesion and preparedness for future electoral contests in Ogun State. The ADC’s ability to manage internal dissent democratically is now a focal point for its members and political observers alike.
