Prominent Nigerian activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member, Aisha Yesufu, has apologised to fellow civic advocate Yemi Adamolekun after Adamolekun complained that her name was published as a member of the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee without her knowledge or consent.
The issue surfaced earlier in the week when Adamolekun, who previously served as Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, a citizen-led accountability group in Nigeria, said she was surprised to see her name on a list of committee members released by the opposition political party.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Adamolekun questioned the process behind the publication and asked for proof that she had joined the party.
“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote, while tagging Yesufu and the party spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi.
Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the party on the same day, said the committee was designed to draw on expertise beyond party membership, arguing that not everyone listed was expected to be a card-carrying member.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the party believed policy development should not be left only to politicians and insisted a vetting process was followed, saying the party took steps to ensure those invited were notified and had agreed to serve.
Despite that explanation, reports has it that Yesufu later acknowledged the concern and issued a public apology after the complaints gained attention online.
In her message on X, Yesufu described the situation as unacceptable and said Adamolekun should have been contacted before her name was made public.
“This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up,” she wrote, adding that consent should have been obtained before publication and promising improved diligence in future.
Yesufu also extended the apology to any other individuals who may have appeared on the 50-member list without being properly informed in advance.
The policy and manifesto committee is expected to develop a policy framework meant to reflect Nigerians’ priorities and help position the African Democratic Congress as an alternative platform for national leadership.
The committee is chaired by John Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State in southern Nigeria, while Pat Utomi, a Nigerian professor and political economist, serves as deputy chairman.
It is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on Monday, 2 February, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.