Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticised the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, over the appointment of caretaker committees across the 36 states, describing the move as a disregard for ongoing judicial proceedings.
Dalung, an ADC chieftain, raised the concerns in a video shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday, alleging that appointment letters had been issued to members of the proposed committees without due regard for a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
He said the development was particularly troubling because some of those appointed had previously been removed from their positions by the courts of appeal, with challenges against the decisions still awaiting determination by the apex court.
According to him, proceeding with the appointments and planned inauguration of the committees could amount to an attempt by the party leadership to pre-empt the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Dalung urged the ADC leadership to suspend Wednesday’s scheduled inauguration and withdraw the appointment letters until the court delivers its ruling.
He warned that going ahead with the exercise could jeopardise the party’s legal position and raise questions about its commitment to participating in the 2027 general elections.
The former minister argued that the party could not simultaneously challenge the appellate court’s decision at the Supreme Court and proceed to recognise the same individuals affected by the judgment through fresh caretaker appointments.
He also faulted the manner in which the appointment letters were issued, questioning why Aregbesola signed them without the National Chairman’s endorsement.
Dalung maintained that appointments involving individuals entrusted with managing the party’s affairs across the states should follow established administrative procedures, including the appropriate joint authorisation by the party’s national leadership.
He disclosed that he had repeatedly advised against the appointments, insisting that the party should exercise restraint rather than take decisions capable of complicating its legal challenges.
Describing the situation as a self-inflicted crisis, Dalung warned that the ADC leadership would have itself to blame if the Supreme Court eventually rules against the party.
He further cautioned that the judiciary might not look favourably on a party that appears to disregard the very judicial process through which it is seeking redress.