Credibility Concerns Trail ADC as Nominees Deny Giving Consent to “50 Wise Men” Committee

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has come under intense public scrutiny after at least two prominent Nigerians publicly denied giving consent before their names were included on the party’s recently unveiled “50 Wise Men” Policy and Manifesto Committee.

The controversy erupted after civic activist and public policy advocate, Ms. Yemi Adamolekun, openly challenged the party on social media, demanding proof of her alleged membership or consent to serve on the committee. In a series of strongly worded posts, Adamolekun accused the ADC of acting without due process and questioned the party’s credibility.

“ADC has no credibility. Please show me evidence of when I joined your party,” she wrote, expressing disbelief that her name was published without prior consultation. She criticised what she described as a careless approach to credibility-building, noting that such actions undermine public trust rather than inspire confidence.

Her comments quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate across social media platforms and online forums, including Nairaland, where Nigerians dissected the implications of the incident for the ADC’s image as an alternative political platform.

In response to the backlash, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi issued a public clarification. He explained that membership of the Policy and Manifesto Committee does not require individuals to be registered members of the ADC. According to him, the party deliberately reached beyond partisan lines to assemble technocrats, professionals, and policy thinkers capable of contributing to governance ideas for Nigeria.

“Not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” Abdullahi stated. “The ADC believes that the development of workable public policies should not be left to politicians alone.”

He further insisted that the party followed due process during its vetting exercise and claimed that all nominees were informed and had given their consent before the list was made public. Abdullahi also appealed directly to Adamolekun, urging her to reconsider and lend her expertise to the committee despite not being a party member.

However, this explanation failed to calm the storm. Adamolekun responded sharply, expressing displeasure not only at the initial oversight but also at the manner in which the party chose to engage her publicly rather than privately.

“Since you want to engage me here without the courtesy of a call to apologise for this gross oversight, I’ll respond here,” she wrote. “No, I’m not interested in serving on a committee where a simple vetting process is complicated and no one is taking responsibility for the error.”

She concluded her statement by firmly declining participation, wishing the party well but distancing herself from what she described as poor organisational conduct.

The controversy deepened when Professor Remi Sonaiya, former presidential candidate of the KOWA Party and a respected academic, also disclosed that her name appeared on the ADC list without her knowledge or consent. Sonaiya expressed surprise at the development and echoed concerns about process and professionalism.

“While it has been claimed that not all on the list are ADC members, the consent of nominees should have been sought before their names were published,” she said. Using hashtags such as #Credibility and #GoodGovernance, Sonaiya framed the issue as one of basic ethical standards rather than partisan politics.

Public reactions have been sharply divided. Some commentators downplayed the issue, arguing that administrative errors are common in Nigerian politics and that the uproar was exaggerated. Others compared the incident to past cases where government institutions announced appointments involving individuals who were unaware—or even deceased—suggesting that the ADC was simply replicating the same governance flaws it claims to oppose.

Critics, however, insisted that the issue goes beyond a clerical mistake. They argue that listing individuals without consent exposes them to reputational risk and potential legal complications, especially in a politically charged environment. For a party seeking to position itself as a credible alternative ahead of future elections, they say, such lapses raise serious red flags.

Some ADC supporters defended the party, noting that only two out of fifty nominees have publicly objected, describing the controversy as overblown. Others argued that genuine reform requires participation, not public rejection, and accused some critics of preferring activism over practical political engagement.

Still, sceptics maintain that credibility is built on attention to detail and respect for individual autonomy. To them, the incident symbolises deeper organisational weaknesses and reinforces doubts about whether opposition parties truly represent a break from Nigeria’s entrenched political culture.

As debates rage online, the ADC has yet to issue a formal apology or publish evidence of consent from the affected individuals. With elections approaching and public trust in political institutions already fragile, observers say how the party manages this fallout may prove as important as its policy proposals themselves.

For now, the “50 Wise Men” initiative—intended to project competence and inclusivity—has instead ignited questions about transparency, accountability, and the very standards of governance Nigerians increasingly demand from those seeking power.