Yemi Adamolekun, a civil society leader and former executive director of Enough is Enough (EiE), has publicly distanced herself from the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) newly formed Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee. She questions why her name was announced without their permission.
The ADC announced a 50-member policy and manifesto committee yesterday. This was done with the permission of the party’s National Working Committee and National Chairman, Senator David Mark.
The party said the goal of the effort was to create “a credible, people-centered, and forward-looking policy framework for national governance.”
But not long after the announcement on X (previously Twitter), Adamolekun went on the site to criticize the inclusion of her name, alleging that she did not join the party or agree to serve on the committee.
“ADC! ADC!! ADC!!! How many times did I call you? This is not how to gain trust o!!! Please provide me proof that I joined your party! She wrote, “Na wa.”
Prof. Remi Sonaiya, a past presidential candidate for the KOWA Party, said she was just as astonished to find her name on the list as the person who commented.
Sonaiya remarked, “I was surprised to see my name too.”
“Some people say that not everyone on the list is an ADC member, but the nominees should have been asked for their permission before their names were made public. She also said, “#Credibility #GoodGovernance.”
The news led to a public back-and-forth between the party and Adamolekun, who raised issues about the ADC’s nomination and vetting procedure.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary, indicated that anyone could join the committee, not just party members or politicians.
He said that the party purposefully asked technocrats and people who weren’t politicians for their opinions in order to improve its policy orientation.
“It is important to note that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is an ADC member. Abdullahi wrote, “Many are not even politicians.”
The ADC thinks that politicians shouldn’t be the only ones that come up with good public policies that are good for all Nigerians.
He went on to say that the party had done a vetting process and that nominees were told before their names were made public.
Abdullahi said, “During our vetting process, we did everything we could to make sure that everyone who was recommended to serve on this important committee was properly informed and had given their consent.” He hoped that Adamolekun would change her mind “because of her vast experience, even though she is not a member of our party.”
Adamolekun, on the other hand, did not accept the explanation and adamantly refused to join the committee.
She said, “Since you want to talk to me here without even calling to apologize for this huge mistake, I’ll answer here.” No, I don’t want to be on a Committee when a simple vetting procedure is hard and no one is accepting responsibility for the mistake. “Blessings!”
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