ABUJA — As Nigeria gears up for the high-stakes 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that it is not bound by the traditional politics of zoning. Instead, the party says it is pioneering a transformative political agenda rooted in meritocracy, grassroots mobilisation, and people-centred governance.
In a bold and strategic move to upend the status quo, the ADC said it is deliberately shifting focus from political tokenism and sectional sentiments to a more inclusive, ideology-driven political architecture that can genuinely serve the Nigerian people.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party’s strategy for 2027 prioritises substance over symbolism.
> “As for 2027, let me be clear: we are building the party to be a serious contender, not just a participant. But we are not fixated on the presidency as though it were the only prize worth winning. That kind of thinking is part of what has led to the political dysfunction we see today,” Abdullahi asserted.
According to him, the ADC’s broader mission is to establish credible structures across all tiers of government—governorships, senatorial and House of Representatives seats, as well as state assemblies—laying a solid foundation before addressing the question of a presidential candidate.
> “A party cannot be built on nothing. We must first create the structure. Our emphasis now is on readiness, organisation, and credibility. The ADC is here to offer Nigerians not just a new political name, but a new political vision,” Abdullahi added.
The party’s spokesman delivered a scathing critique of the political duopoly between the APC and PDP, accusing both parties of prioritising power-sharing arrangements over national unity, competence, and policy innovation.
> “Structurally, ADC is a deliberate intervention—not an accidental creation of political expediency like the APC, which was hurriedly formed in 2013 just to oust the PDP. The ADC was born out of necessity, to fill the political vacuum created by the collapse of meaningful opposition,” Abdullahi explained.
He argued that Nigeria has endured a decade of one-party dominance without real ideological contestation.
> “The APC has governed with little or no checks, while the PDP has floundered as a weak alternative. The ADC is rising to fill that void, and we are not just here to oppose; we are here to propose a new way forward—principled, purposeful, and people-driven politics,” he stated.
Highlighting the ADC’s growing influence, Abdullahi pointed to recent activities in the South-East, South-South, and South-West regions, including a well-attended rally in Ekiti and renewed political energy in Osun State sparked by the involvement of prominent figures like former Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
> “Change begins from the grassroots, not the corridors of power. Beyond the profile of Peter Obi, we have credible organisers in the South-East and South-South who are building robust community-based structures. What is brewing across the nation is not spontaneous—it is a well-coordinated awakening being directed by the ADC,” he revealed.
He added that the party is reimagining opposition politics as constructive and visionary, rather than reactionary and divisive.
Coalition Still Pursuing ADA Registration — Dr Umar Ardo
Meanwhile, Dr. Umar Ardo, Secretary of the Coalition’s Sub-Committee on the Feasibility of the Registration of a New Political Party, debunked rumours suggesting the coalition has abandoned its pursuit to register the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
> “The ADC is part of our strategy, but it does not nullify our ongoing efforts with ADA. The application is still active, and we expect clarity from INEC in the coming days,” Dr. Ardo disclosed.
He clarified that the coalition’s approach is dual-pronged: leveraging ADC as a ready platform while awaiting the successful registration of ADA.
Dr. Ardo, a political heavyweight, said the ADA initiative is rooted in strategic foresight, not political sentiment.
> “This is not just a tactical manoeuvre. It is a bold and calculated move aimed at redefining the purpose of opposition politics in Nigeria. With figures like former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi involved, the goal is to create a formidable, ideology-based political force that can genuinely inspire hope and catalyse change,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians are fed up with what he described as the maladministration of President Bola Tinubu’s government and are yearning for an authentic alternative.
> “The time is ripe. Nigerians are exhausted by recycled leadership and failed promises. The ADC, and hopefully the ADA, are rising to give voice to this frustration and provide a credible roadmap for national renewal,” Dr. Ardo concluded.
Conclusion: A New Era Beckons
As 2027 approaches, the ADC appears determined to shake the foundations of Nigeria’s political establishment. With a growing support base, a clear ideological stance, and a strategy that blends grassroots mobilisation with high-level organisation, the party is positioning itself as a serious alternative to the traditional power blocs.
Whether through the ADC, the prospective ADA, or a broader coalition, one thing is certain: a new political current is stirring, and it may well redefine the future of Nigerian democracy.
PIONEER NEWS 