The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has formally sworn in former Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Alhaji Rahman Owokoniran, as its South-West Zonal Chairman, amid efforts to strengthen the party’s regional leadership structure.

Owokoniran was inaugurated alongside members of the zonal executive committee under the authority of the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark. The ceremony was conducted by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Bamidele Ajadi, described as the highest-ranking national officer of the party in the South-West.

In a statement issued after the event, ADC chieftain, Mr. Coker Onita, dismissed reports of internal division within the party in the South-West, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He clarified that Owokoniran’s inauguration followed due process and had the full backing of the national leadership.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. (Alhaji) Rahman Akanni Owokoniran was formally inaugurated and sworn in as the South-West Zonal Chairman of the ADC by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Bamidele Ajadi, with the endorsement and authority of the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and the national leadership of the party,” he said.

Onita also rejected reports suggesting that the South-West leadership had been disowned by the national body, insisting that such narratives were deliberately fabricated to confuse members and the public.

He accused elements linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of spreading misinformation to destabilise the ADC in the region due to its growing popularity and acceptance.

The party further disowned a statement credited to a group identified as the “ADC Lagos State Stakeholders Forum,” describing it as an unknown body with no legitimate standing in the party. Onita labelled those behind the publication as fifth columnists working against the party’s interest.

“In a democratic party, anonymous allegations are acts of subversion, not accountability. Anyone claiming to represent ADC must openly state their identity, position and mandate,” he added.

He stressed that while the ADC remains open to constructive criticism and lawful engagement, it would resist attempts to infiltrate or weaken its leadership through falsehoods.

The party reaffirmed its unity and commitment to offering Nigerians a credible political alternative, maintaining that the South-West leadership under Owokoniran remains valid and fully recognised by the national hierarchy.