Rauf Aregbesola, the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has attributed the party’s defeat in the November 25 Anambra State governorship election and the February 26 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council polls to both internal weaknesses and external challenges. Speaking at the ongoing ADC national convention on Tuesday, Aregbesola acknowledged that inadequate funding and an unprepared party structure significantly hindered the party’s performance in these contests.
“In the 2025 Anambra State governorship election and the FCT local government election, we were not victorious for various reasons,” Aregbesola stated. He noted that opponents capitalized on the power of incumbency, monetized the electoral process, and misused state resources. In contrast, the ADC struggled with insufficient funding and a general lack of readiness within its structure.
Despite these setbacks, Aregbesola expressed confidence in the party’s ability to learn from its experiences and improve its performance in future elections. He specifically highlighted the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as opportunities for the ADC to showcase its renewed strength and preparedness.
In the recent FCT area council elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured five out of six seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the remaining seat. The ADC, which participated in both elections, failed to secure any seats, underscoring the challenges it faces in establishing a competitive presence in Nigeria’s political landscape. Aregbesola’s remarks emphasize the broader issues of electoral financing and party organization in Nigeria, where incumbents often dominate due to their access to state resources. The ADC’s acknowledgment of its shortcomings reflects a growing awareness among opposition parties of the necessity to strengthen internal structures and address funding gaps to remain viable in future contests.
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