…resolve to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead 2027
By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
South-West youth leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, have reaffirmed their support for the National Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while resolving to intensify grassroots mobilisation and youth engagement across the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was reached during a strategic and solidarity meeting between the South-West ADC Youth Leaders and Aregbesola in Lagos on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The meeting, which focused on recent developments within the party, the state of the ADC in the Southwest and strategies for strengthening the party’s youth structure, also emphasised the need for unity among party stakeholders.
The youth leaders expressed solidarity with Aregbesola and commended his efforts towards promoting and strengthening the ADC across the South-West and beyond.
Addressing the youth leaders, Aregbesola urged them to remain proactive, disciplined, resolute and committed to the growth of the party.
He stressed the importance of taking the youth mobilisation agenda to the grassroots, urging the leaders to engage more young Nigerians and develop programmes capable of attracting them to the ADC.
He stressed that the youth wing has a critical role to play in building a stronger and more effective political structure for the party across the six South-West states.
The meeting also dwelt extensively on the issue of unity within the ADC, with participants agreeing that disagreements and differences among members should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.
The youth leaders maintained that all tendencies within the party must work together in the overall interest of the ADC, particularly as the party begins preparations for the 2027 elections.
At the end of the meeting, the South-West youth leaders reaffirmed their solidarity and support for Aregbesola in his capacity as the National Secretary of the party.
They also called for greater cooperation, unity and understanding among party stakeholders, while resolving to intensify youth mobilisation across the six states of the South-West.
The youth leaders further agreed that state youth leaderships would develop youth-focused programmes and activities designed to attract more young Nigerians into the ADC and deepen the party’s presence at the grassroots.
They reaffirmed their confidence in the leadership of the party and pledged to work with the National Working Committee towards strengthening the ADC and expanding its support base.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for direct interaction between the national leadership and the youth structure in the region.
Aregbesola assured the youth leaders that their contributions and roles within the party remained important, urging them to stay active and visible in their respective states.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with the participants pledging to take greater ownership of youth mobilisation and contribute meaningfully to the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Those who attended the meeting included the National Deputy Youth Leader, South-West, Comrade Adeola Elizabeth Olusi; Ekiti State Youth Leader/Secretary, Hon. Ismail Ayodeji Lawal; Oyo State Youth Leader, Comrade Daud Temitope Wahab; Ogun State Youth Leader, Hon. Kehinde Obaseyi Sunday and the Lagos State Youth Leader, Comrade Oretoluwa Olarewaju.
The Osun State Youth Leader, Hon. Demola Owoade and Ondo State Youth Leader, Barrister Olumide Ogunje, sent apologies for their absence.
The Southwest ADC Youth Leaders said the engagement had further strengthened the relationship between the party’s national leadership and its youth structure in the region, expressing determination to build a stronger grassroots movement and contribute to the electoral success of the ADC in 2027.