The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it has completed coalition processes and is ready to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The party at its 89th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, also announced plans to conduct its congresses leading to national convention.
The National Chairman Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, announced to NEC members that he will be stepping down, but assured that he would always be available to contribute to the growth of the party.
Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Mani who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting, said the ADC has gone through lots of transformational phases, resulting in accommodating new people into the party.
He noted that within the past 20 years of the party existence, “we have shown commitment to national growth.
“We have exhibited the highest levels of nationalism and patriotism; and we have made several sacrifices to ensure that we bequeath for our next generation a country better than the one we have met.”
Dr. Mani regretted that Nigeria has deteriorated to the extent that normal existence is becoming more and more difficult.
According to him, “Statistics have indicated that about five million Nigerians have been added to the list of poverty-stricken people in the world on an annual basis.
“Now this is sad for a country that is richly endowed with enormous resources.”
He blamed this on bad governance, adding that the only way Nigeria could experience good governance is “when we have the right people playing their part in the political process.
“ADC has over the years remained a formidable platform in the process of re-engineering Nigeria.”
The Board Chairman explained that the party is involving civil society organisations as well as grassroots organisations “because ADC strongly believes that all politics is grassroots politics. We know that politicians on their own can do very little.”
He expressed happiness that most of the CSOs and grassroots organisations have exhibited great commitment and resilience over the months.
“And that has certainly reassured that the objective is very much achievable.
“We are building consensus. This consensus building, though very painstaking, has taken some time in the pipeline. I can categorically today, by the grace of God, inform you that the African Democratic Congress is the coalition party in Nigeria.
“For us, this is a momentous occasion. This is a great opportunity for the party to involve and accommodate all Nigerians.
“And by this gesture, we are inviting every Nigerian that has the love of this country in their heart to join us in this new crusade to bring about an enduring democratic change in our country by coming into our party, the African Democratic Congress, which can easily be seen as the African Democratic Coalition.
“We will continue to remain committed to the development of our great nation, Nigeria, as a unified and indivisible country where every citizen has the right to live in every part of this country and pursue legitimate economic business.
“We also want to see a nation that will continue to provide opportunities for our people to grow and to prosper in peace and in harmony. And this has remained the hallmark of our party,” Dr. Mani preached.
