Nigeria’s immediate-past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has observed that political power is a sacred prize of responsibility, which must be shouldered in the interest of all.
Aregbesola, who noted that power is not a prize to be seized, but a responsibility to make life more bearable for the people, said political parties must not only stand to win elections but stand as the tool to engender mass prosperity for the citizenry.
In his acceptance speech during the official unveiling of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the National Coalition platform for the 2027 general election in Abuja, the former Governor of Osun hinted that the coalition party will be structured in line with the principles of discipline, clarity of purpose and a commitment to serve the people.
Aregbesola, who is the Interim General Secretary of the coalition party, promised that ADC will be premised on the ideologies of good governance, character and competence for the good of the country.
His words, “It is time for a new kind of Politics in our Nation. Politics of Character, Politics of Institution, not Personality. One that we can be proud to pass to the next generation of Nigerians.
“While our politics has evolved, the landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth, where merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality is the order of the day. There is little regard for the country, even less for the people.
“That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.
“As General Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass—a party that is rooted in democratic values, social justice, accountability, and national development. A party that listens to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.
“We must be the party that champions education as the tool for delivering prosperity for all. That delivers community-based solutions to secure our people, our nation and borders. That promises Prosperity and labours to create it. That stands for Nigeria—not just during campaigns, but in the sacred work of daily governance.
“For we understand this eternal truth: power is not a prize to be seized, but a responsibility to be shouldered. It is not a throne to occupy, but a burden to bear with honour. True power lies not in what we can claim for ourselves, but in what we can deliver for our people. This is our covenant with history: Power is Responsibility,” Aregbesola stressed.
He advocated that the ADC charts a path of ideology drawing from South Africa’s ANC trajectory of ideology and political pragmatism.
“A political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition over collective good. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution—built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.
“Throughout Africa’s history, and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, we have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve. The ANC was not perfect—but it stood for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by Women and Men who believed in justice, dignity, equality, and true freedom. It had character. It had soul.
“As General Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass—a party that is rooted in democratic values, social justice, accountability, and national development. A party that listens to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.
“We must become an institution where internal democracy is not just preached but practiced, intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just, young people and women are at the centre of participation, not just ceremonial presence and all party structures—from the ward to the national level—function with purpose and excellence.
“We will draw wisdom from the world’s finest—from Mandela’s South Africa to Sweden’s social democracy, from Chile’s resilience to Kenya’s renewal—adapting what serves our unique Nigerian reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us,” Aregbesola stated.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
