South-West ADC Accuses APC of Pressuring Market Women and Traders to Join Party

The South-West Zonal Chairman of the African Democrat Congress (ADC), Rahman Owokoniran, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of pressuring market women and traders in the South-West region to join their party. Owokoniran made these allegations during a speech at the inauguration of the ADC's South-West zonal executives in Ibadan, Oyo State. He claimed that market women and men are being forced to register with the ruling party under duress, including threats of market raids, shop closures, and disruptions to their commercial activities if they do not comply. Owokoniran criticized this alleged tactic as a means to control the poor and working class for political gain rather than providing genuine economic interventions.

The ADC leader highlighted the economic challenges facing the region, such as inflation, unemployment, food shortages, and insecurity, which are contributing to a decline in living standards and deepening poverty. The party aims to resist such manipulative tactics and focus on grassroots engagement to address the socio-economic challenges in the South-West. The inauguration also featured the unveiling of the party's zonal and national officials, including key figures like Bamidel Ajadi and Yemisi Afolabi.