Former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress Ralph Nwosu has alleged that he was offered three ministerial appointments in an attempt to dissuade him from turning the ADC into a coalition opposition party.
Nwosu made the disclosure on Tuesday, July 29, during the National Executive Committee meeting of the ADC, where the party formally handed over leadership to former Senate President David Mark. The meeting also confirmed former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Secretary.
“Some people tried to discourage us with promises of automatic ministerial appointments,” Nwosu said.
“They wanted to give me three ministerial slots so that I can take one and give two to others that I choose. But I said no. I chose a democratic future for Nigeria.”
He described the effort to derail the coalition as part of a larger plot to impose a one party system in Nigeria.
“Nigeria cannot be a one party state after all we did to ensure the military exited governance,” he stated.
On July 2, the ADC officially transitioned into the Coalition Party, with David Mark named as interim National Chairman. According to Nwosu, the transition process was observed by seven officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission who were invited as regulatory witnesses.
He added, “The ADC is now the party with the largest membership. We have 28 senators and more than 60 members of the House of Representatives. Nigerians have shown that they detest what the party in government is doing right now.”
Nwosu said members of both the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee voluntarily stepped down to ensure a smooth handover of power.
“We were very careful with the kind of people we are choosing to lead the party,” he said. “Our constitution says all elected members, serving and non-serving, are NEC members.”
He further revealed that the party's membership surged to over three million within two weeks of launching the coalition.
Nwosu concluded, “We were worried by the declining fortunes of our democracy. But we insist on the coalition in the best interest of Nigeria."
