Former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has revealed he was offered three ministerial slots by senior government officials in a bid to dissuade him from transforming the ADC into a coalition platform for Nigeria’s opposition.
Nwosu made the disclosure during the final National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, where leadership was officially handed over to former Senate President, David Mark, now serving as interim National Chairman. Also, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was unveiled as the party’s new National Secretary.
According to Nwosu, the offer—reportedly from individuals linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—was aimed at stopping the ADC’s transformation into a formidable opposition force.
“Some people tried to discourage us with promises of automatic ministerial appointments,” he said. “They wanted to give me three ministerial slots—one for me and two to give away. But I said no. I chose the democratic future of Nigeria. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state after all we did to send the military back to the barracks.”
Nwosu emphasized that the ADC’s decision to proceed with the coalition has made it Nigeria’s most populous opposition party, claiming over three million members, 28 senators, and more than 60 members in the House of Representatives.
ADC Leadership Restructuring
The NEC meeting was monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and served as the formal conclusion to the party’s internal restructuring. A motion was passed to dissolve the outgoing National Working Committee (NWC) led by Nwosu. The transition was finalized with all former NEC and NWC members stepping down.
Zonal Chairman for the South-West, Razzaq Eyiowuawi, moved the first motion for the handover, while Zamfara State Chairman, Kabiru Garba, called for the recall of all members expelled in 2022. Both motions were unanimously passed.
The new Caretaker Committee led by David Mark also announced key leadership appointments:
- National Secretary: Rauf Aregbesola
- National Publicity Secretary: Bolaji Abdullahi
- Deputy National Chairmen: Appointed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones
The newly constituted committee members took an oath of office to signify their commitment to the party’s reformation goals.
David Mark Pledges Internal Democracy and Inclusion
In his acceptance speech, David Mark described his appointment as the beginning of a “new chapter” for ADC and pledged to uphold internal democracy, transparency, and merit-based leadership.
“I pledge to serve this party with integrity, courage, and vision. This is not just the start of a new NEC, but a rebirth of ADC,” he said.
Mark commended Ralph Nwosu and his team for building the foundation of the party and promised to institutionalize democratic principles, including a commitment to collective leadership, inclusive representation, and structured financing.
“We will open the gates for the next generation. Our leadership will reflect genuine inclusion of youth and women, not just tokenism,” he added, noting that 35% of positions have been reserved for women and that younger members will also be prioritized.
The party also announced plans to form a 50-member Policy Committee to redefine its manifesto and address key national issues across sectors such as health, education, technology, economy, and infrastructure.
A Clear Vision for Opposition
Mark concluded with a call to action for Nigerians seeking change.
“ADC is the only party that guarantees equal opportunity to everyone regardless of age, gender, religion, or region. We will be a party defined not by personalities but by ideology, policies, and patriotic governance.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)