By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) was thrown into controversy on Wednesday, when a civil society activist and policy expert, Yemi Adamolekun, rejected membership of the party and nomination to serve on its Policy and Manifesto Committee.
The development comes hours after the ADC announced the composition of its 50-member Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee, a high-profile body unveiled as part of the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Adamolekun’s name was listed among committee members in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
However, in a swift reaction that sparked widespread debate on social media and within political circles, Adamolekun publicly distanced herself from the ADC, stating that she neither belongs to the party nor gave consent to serving on its manifesto and policy committee.
“I am not a member of the ADC, and I did not accept or agree to serve on any of its committees,” Adamolekun she tweeted in her official X handle. She added that while she supports issue-based politics and democratic reforms, she has not aligned herself with any political party.
She further questioned the rationalization of her inclusion by the party’s spokesperson who has not even deemed it wise to find out her reservations either by a phone call or mail.
“Since you want to engage me here without the courtesy of a call to apologise for this gross oversight, I’ll respond here.
“No, I’m not interested in serving on a Committee where a simple vetting process is complicated & no one is taking responsibility for the error. Blessings!” she added.
Another member who was former presidential candidate of the KOWA Party, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, who made comments on her post equally expressed surprise over her inclusion on the list.
“I was surprised to see my name too,” Sonaiya wrote.
Their reactions has triggered questions over the ADC’s internal coordination and the process through which individuals were nominated or listed as members of the influential committee.
But justifying their inclusion, the ADC spokesperson described the Policy and Manifesto Committee as an assemblage of respected Nigerians drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, including former public office holders, academics, technocrats, civil society leaders, and policy experts. The party said the committee was mandated to articulate a credible, people-centred policy direction that would position the ADC as a serious alternative platform for national leadership.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians. This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.
“During our vetting process, we took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.
“We hope that Ms. Adamolekun will agree to serve on this committee because of her vast experience — even though she is not a member of our party” Abdullahi tweeted.
The committee is chaired by former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, with renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, as deputy chairman, and former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, as secretary.
Adamolekun’s rejection has, however, cast a shadow over the rollout of the committee and raised concerns about whether due consent was obtained from all those named.
Sources within the ADC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the party was “surprised” by Adamolekun’s reaction, insisting that engagements had been ongoing with several professionals and stakeholders during the committee’s formation. The sources suggested that the matter may have arisen from a “communication gap,” adding that the party would issue a clarification.
Despite the setback, the ADC has maintained that its policy and manifesto process remains on course. The party had announced that the committee would be formally inaugurated on February 2, 2026, at its national secretariat in Abuja.
Whether Adamolekun’s name will be formally withdrawn from the list, or whether the party will provide further explanation on how it came to be included, remains to be seen.
