Deputy National Financial Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Former Chief Accountant, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Senior Vice President, Government & Public Sector Operation, Faril Consulting Ltd, Abuja
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Fabiyi Oladimeji is a seasoned political strategist and financial administrator with extensive experience across Nigeria’s political landscape. He currently serves as Deputy National Financial Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), bringing critical financial management expertise to one of Nigeria’s emerging opposition platforms.
Prior to his current role, Oladimeji served as Chief Accountant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he gained deep insight into party administration, electoral finance, and political operations at the national level. His professional background also includes senior leadership at Faril Consulting Ltd in Abuja, where he serves as Senior Vice President for Government and Public Sector Operations.
Based in Abuja, Oladimeji is actively involved in ADC’s expansion efforts, particularly in Ogun State, where the party is positioning itself as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INTERVIEW
1. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION: ENCOURAGING RESPONSE IN OGUN STATE
Interviewer: ADC is currently conducting membership registration and expansion across Ogun State. What has the response from citizens been so far, and what does it tell you about the political mood ahead of 2027?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: The responses have been very encouraging. The excitement that there is another alternative opposition platform other than the PDP and Labour parties has contributed more to the involvement of the people. 2027, as far as Ogun State is concerned, will be a battleground as the APC is bent on taking over Ogun because of its strategic position in the zone, especially the proximity to Lagos.
2. PARTY GROWTH STRATEGY: BUILDING FROM THE GRASSROOTS
Interviewer: What concrete strategies is ADC using to build a strong grassroots structure across the local governments in Ogun State?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: You need to first determine your strength and numbers, and that is what the registration and revalidation exercise will achieve. Grassroots mobilisation is very key. Youth engagement is another. The overall party manifestos and ability to drive it down to the understanding of the people is a critical step. We have to build the party to a winning level, which is the focus of the party. Minimise internal conflicts and mine from the impending implosion from the APC.
3. CHANCES IN THE 2027 ELECTIONS: A DEFINING MOMENT
Interviewer: Looking ahead to the 2027 Nigerian general election, how confident is the ADC about its chances in Ogun State, and what makes the party believe it can challenge the dominant political forces?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: It’s all politics and how best you can push and get the support of the people. Yes, the incumbent factors have always been there, but we have seen where it also failed. The party is confident given the poor performances of the APC government at all levels. 2027 is a defining moment for Nigeria and Ogun State in particular.
The recent APC congresses did not go without crisis as they are making it look like. The ADC is putting its internal machinery in place first to have near controversy-free congresses and smooth party primaries. As a leader of the party in Ogun State, I am ensuring that all hands are on deck for the party to succeed.
4. WHAT MAKES ADC DIFFERENT: PARTY OF THE PEOPLE
Interviewer: Many Nigerians say the major parties are largely the same. What makes the African Democratic Congress different in ideology, leadership style, and governance approach?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: In fact, this is a question some Nigerians have been asking. In terms of ideology, the party has made it abundantly clear that it’s the party of the people. The welfare of the people is paramount, the more reason its policies are tailored towards the welfare of the citizens.
In terms of leadership, the party is a coalition of many tendencies, and every component that forms the coalition is duly represented to the ward level. The national leadership has men and women of impeccable character who believe that Nigerian people are the priority, not them as individuals. The party structure is very robust and accords so much importance to the youth and women, as can be seen in the composition of the party structure across board.
5. TYPE OF CANDIDATES THE PARTY WANTS: COMPETENCE AND ACCEPTABILITY
Interviewer: What kind of candidates is the ADC hoping to attract for future elections—especially in terms of competence, integrity, youth participation, and professional background?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: Candidates that possess the requisite experience, capacity, competence, and are acceptable to the electorates.
6. INTERNAL PARTY ISSUES: UPHOLDING CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESSES
Interviewer: There have been reports of an attempted removal or impeachment of the state chairman within the party. What really happened, and what does it say about internal democracy within the ADC?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: The true position is that the ADC would not engage in any form of unconstitutionality. The leadership have been very clear about that. A party that is just putting its house together can only do well if it maintains or adheres to its rules and guidelines, which is what is happening in the ADC at the moment.
The only recognised means to remove any party chairman is through the congress, and that is what the party will and is doing. The party is keen and very observant of its internal democratic rules.
7. UNITY WITHIN THE PARTY: ADDRESSING ISSUES PROMPTLY
Interviewer: How is the party leadership in Ogun State working to resolve internal disagreements and ensure unity ahead of future elections?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: First is that we can’t run away from pockets of issues in a political setting, because of entrenched interests. The responsibility falls on the leadership to rise up to ensuring it is nipped in the bud. The leadership of the party in Ogun State, under my supervision as a national officer of the party, have been able to frontally address issues of concern and reconcile accordingly. As they come, we will promptly address them. The party must be united going into 2027 election.
8. INTOLERANCE TOWARD OPPOSITION: A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY
Interviewer: Some opposition parties accuse the ruling establishment of political intimidation and intolerance toward opposition voices. From your perspective, how serious is this challenge for democracy in Nigeria?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: The ruling APC has not done well in terms of managing the opposition parties. We have seen how much effort the APC is putting into destroying the opposition parties, especially the ADC.
We have seen how INEC and the courts are being used to destabilise the opposition parties. We have seen how they are hounding opposition leaders, harassing them with anti-graft agencies.
It is a serious challenge to the survival of our democracy because any democracy without a virile opposition is not a democracy. Sadly, our courts, the anti-graft agencies, the National Assembly, and even a section of the media are complicit in all these.
9. ROLE OF INEC: ERODED CONFIDENCE AND TRUST
Interviewer: Many Nigerians continue to debate the credibility of elections. Do you believe the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can conduct truly free and fair elections in Nigeria, and what reforms are still needed?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: INEC has not been able to live up to its name. The conduct of INEC in our past elections has eroded the confidence and trust of the people in INEC. The commission has reduced itself to the destructive tools of Tinubu’s government against the opposition parties.
This is more reason the ADC is working hard to do things differently, but the Tinubu-led government is bent on turning the country into a one-party state by destroying all opposition elements.
10. FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: DIMMED OPTIMISM
Interviewer: Looking at the political climate today, are you optimistic about the future of democracy in Nigeria, and what role should parties like the ADC play in strengthening democratic institutions?
Fabiyi Oladimeji: I have very dimmed optimism about the future of democracy in Nigeria, with what Tinubu is currently doing. Incapacitating the leaders of opposition, the democratic future of Nigeria is bleak. Another four years of Tinubu will spell doom for our democracy.
The good news is that the ADC is poised to reset the order, but they need the support of the majority of Nigerians. Our democratic institutions can only be strengthened if tenets and principles of democracy are adhered to. If Tinubu feels so strongly that he has done well, he should ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
