…..Says aspirants’ funds were remitted to national secretariat
…Accuses critics of pursuing political agenda
By Aremu Sosanya
ADC Ogun Chairman Denies Financial Misconduct, Defends Legitimacy of State Executive
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, Dr. Femi Patrick Soluade, has dismissed allegations of financial impropriety and illegitimacy levelled against him and the state executive committee by a group of individuals who recently petitioned the party’s national leadership.
In a statement made available to journalists, Soluade described the petition as a politically motivated attempt to undermine the duly constituted leadership of the party in Ogun State.
According to him, the allegations contained in the petition were unsupported by credible evidence and formed part of a sustained effort by certain individuals to challenge the authority of the recognised state executive.
The ADC chairman noted that the petition surfaced shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta relating to disputes arising from the party’s governorship primary election, a development he said had raised questions about the motives behind the action.
Soluade categorically denied any wrongdoing in the management of party funds, insisting that no money belonging to the party had been misappropriated, diverted or unlawfully expended under his leadership.
He maintained that all financial transactions carried out on behalf of the party were properly documented and could be subjected to scrutiny through the appropriate channels.
The state chairman further stated that all funds collected from aspirants were remitted to the party’s National Secretariat in line with established procedures and constitutional provisions.
He disclosed that the Ogun State chapter of the ADC had largely been sustained through personal contributions, support from committed stakeholders and internally generated resources, stressing that neither he nor members of the state executive had received financial allocations or benefits from the national body.
Soluade challenged the petitioners to present verifiable evidence to support their allegations, arguing that accusations without proof could not replace facts.
He also denied claims that members of the state executive received financial inducements from aspirants or external political interests during the period leading to the party’s congress.
The ADC chairman accused the authors of the petition of hiding behind anonymity and warned that legal action could be pursued once their identities were established.
On the controversy surrounding the party’s state congress, Soluade maintained that the exercise which produced the current executive committee was conducted in accordance with the ADC constitution and held at the officially recognised state secretariat.
He argued that any parallel congress conducted outside recognised party structures could not confer legitimacy on any group claiming leadership of the party.
Soluade further alleged that some individuals who organised alternative party structures would, at the appropriate time, be required to account for funds contributed by aspirants and other party stakeholders.
While reaffirming his commitment to transparency, accountability and due process, he urged the national leadership of the ADC to carefully examine the petition and distinguish genuine concerns from actions driven by political interests.
He reiterated that the recognised leadership of the party in Ogun State remained focused on strengthening its structures across the state and preparing for future electoral contests, while encouraging aggrieved members to pursue constitutional and legal channels for the resolution of disputes.
