Babatunde Olarewaju, a Lagos State chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has pledged to build a strong and inclusive party structure as he seeks to emerge chairman of the party in the state. Olarewaju, a public health expert and former senatorial aspirant for Lagos-East, said his leadership would focus on grassroots mobilisation, internal democracy, and collective decision-making across all levels of the party.
Speaking in an interview, the chairmanship hopeful said his decades-long political journey, which dates back to the era of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), has equipped him with the experience needed to reposition the ADC in Lagos. According to him, his exposure to different political platforms over the years has provided him with a deep understanding of party administration and electoral dynamics.
Focus on grassroots and internal democracy
“I have been involved in politics since the late 1970s, and that experience has prepared me for the responsibility of leading a party structure in a complex state like Lagos,” he said. Olarewaju emphasised that his vision is to build a bottom-up structure that reflects the interests of party members at the ward, local government, and state levels.
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He noted that internal democracy would be strengthened by allowing stakeholders, including youths, women, community leaders, and elders, to actively participate in decision-making processes. On party primaries, he stressed that aspirants must earn the trust and acceptance of their communities, adding that such a process would enhance credibility and reduce internal disputes.
Promoting unity and constitutional discipline
The ADC chieftain also outlined plans to promote unity within the party by encouraging collaboration among leaders and discouraging the dominance of any single individual. He said adherence to the party’s constitution would be central to maintaining discipline and fairness.
“We will ensure that no one person controls the party. It belongs to all members, and decisions will be guided strictly by our constitution,” he stated. To boost membership and engagement, Olarewaju said his team is working on strategies to attract more youths and women into the party, with a commitment to achieving at least 30% inclusion for both groups in leadership and decision-making roles.
Monitoring performance and future prospects
He said a positive and inclusive political environment would naturally draw more supporters to the party. Looking ahead, Olarewaju expressed confidence that the ADC could become a major political force in Lagos by mobilising voters beyond the traditional political class. He said the party would focus on winning elective positions while also ensuring that its elected officials deliver on their mandates.
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He further disclosed that mechanisms would be put in place to monitor the performance of officeholders elected on the party’s platform, warning that non-performing representatives may not be considered for re-election. On funding, he proposed a model based on membership subscriptions, donations, and diaspora contributions, drawing inspiration from the political philosophy of Obafemi Awolowo.
Olarewaju maintained that with the right structure and strategy, the ADC could effectively challenge dominant parties in Lagos and offer voters a credible alternative in future elections.
