ADC appoints Aisha Yesufu, others to lead nationwide membership drive

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a 20-member Membership, Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark.

Speaking at the event, Mark said the exercise was aimed at building a credible, verifiable, and comprehensive membership database nationwide, describing a strong membership base as the lifeblood of any political party.

Kashim Imam was appointed Chairman of the committee, with rights activist Aisha Yesufu named Deputy Chairman, while Sekonte Davies will serve as Secretary.

Other members include Senator Nurudeen Abatemi, Hon. Yomi Arokodare, Remi Fanibe, Miss Adljat Ojelade, Hon. (Mrs.) Abeje Egwa, Hon. Abas Anas Adamu, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, Paul Lawrence Okorie, Dr. Mrs. Esther Irebo, Hon. Abdullahi Maibasira, Sir Stanley Ekezie, Prof. Festus Arunaye, Jibrin Sabo Keana, Hon. Mina Horsfall, Hon. Shehu Mohammed Koko, Chief Gbazuagu Nneke Gbazuagu and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

Mark explained that the committee would harmonise existing membership records, eliminate discrepancies, and submit a 30-day interim report to the party’s National Working Committee.

According to him, the committee’s mandate includes overseeing the registration of new members nationwide, developing a robust grassroots mobilisation strategy, and implementing both electronic and manual registration platforms.

He added that the committee would also recommend standardised procedures for continuous membership registration and data management, strengthen party structures through membership expansion, and liaise with state and local party leadership to ensure smooth implementation of the exercise.

“This assignment must be carried out with integrity, transparency, fairness and without bias or exclusion. Unity and credibility are the foundation upon which the future of the ADC will be built,” Mark said.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Kashim Imam assured party leaders of the panel’s commitment to the task, describing the ADC as a grassroots movement for ordinary Nigerians.

He said the committee would work tirelessly to mobilise and register members across the country, including rural and hard-to-reach areas.

“Our goal is to return the party to the average Nigerian — the masses, the poor and the marginalised — and ensure they take ownership of the ADC,” Imam said.

The ADC was adopted in July 2025 as the coalition platform for opposition leaders seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. Since then, the party, under the leadership of Senator Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, has intensified efforts to build its structures nationwide.