The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it is intensifying its grassroots mobilisation efforts and working to expand its ideology focused on improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Speaking at the Convergence of Coalition Partners Meeting held on Saturday in Enugu, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Nwosu, represented by the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Mr. Godsent Chilos, emphasised the party’s commitment to strengthening alliances under the theme “Strengthening Alliance for A Better Nigeria.”

According to Nwosu, the ADC is focused on rebuilding Nigeria through sound governance and aims to lift millions out of poverty and economic despair caused by the current administration at various levels.

“ADC is working to take over realms of power at both federal and state levels, and we are ready to move Nigerians from lack and hardship as no one currently in the country is happy with the negative socioeconomic development in Nigeria,” he said.

Highlighting the widespread insecurity across the nation, Nwosu stated:

“The insecurity throughout the country is unprecedented and alarming; and doesn’t spare anyone, even the rural farmer in his or her village is not safe to peacefully go to the farm any longer.”

He decried the worsening poverty and hardship facing citizens, blaming poor leadership.

“The socioeconomic indicators are very negative and plunging millions of Nigerians into abject and generational poverty, making the nation the poverty capital of the world,” he noted.

To address this, Nwosu announced a new grassroots campaign.

“We are launching ‘Operation Power Must Change Hands’ at the grassroots to mobilise Nigerians to see the need to change the negative narrative and liberate our people and nation from misrule.”

He further stressed the ADC’s determination to reform the nation’s political and economic landscape:
“We will leave no stone unturned in our resolve to turn the socioeconomic and political tide and ensure it better lives of Nigerians.”

Also speaking at the event, diplomat and policy expert Dr. Chukwuma Okenwa urged opposition parties to take up their constitutional role of holding the ruling parties accountable.

“Opposition parties in the country should brace up to play their role of checkmating what the ruling parties are doing in the best interest of Nigerians.”

“You must speak out and make your voices and perspectives clear in issues that affect Nigerians,” he advised.

Dr. Okenwa also pointed to internal flaws in party structures:
“Political parties must strengthen their internal democracy mechanisms. Lack of internal democracy is responsible for crisis in most major political parties in the country and it has eroded the trust Nigerians have in these parties.”

On her part, Mrs. Sylvia Abanah, State Coordinator of the Nigeria League of Women Voters, stressed the importance of women’s involvement in political strategy and candidacy.

“The ADC stands a better chance of winning elections especially at the state, council area, and ward levels when women are made candidates and galvanized to see reasons to vote for their fellow women,” she said.

Delivering the welcome address, Enugu State Chairman of ADC, Comrade Stella Chukwuma, said that what Nigerians seek is simple: good governance.

“Only good governance can bring the needed development and benefits of democracy to Nigerians,” she stated.

She added that the ADC has the necessary coalition strength and grassroots support to bring about that change:

“In 2027, we must vote with one voice to change the tide and enthrone good governance in order to tackle the hardship in the land and liberate our people. ADC has come to offer the platform for socioeconomic and political emancipation.”

Highlighting the party’s action plan, Chukwuma said:
“We have arranged for unprecedented door-to-door grassroots political consciousness and mobilisation as well as ensure we give our people hope of a new Nigeria and better life for them all.”

She further stated that the ADC is open to strategic partnerships:
“The party is open for genuine progressive partnerships with non-governmental organisations and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) to see how best to mobilise Nigerians for genuine change through their votes.”

The event saw the participation of ADC coalition partners, along with over 200 ward, council, and state executive members from Enugu State.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State has called on Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party to join an emerging coalition of opposition parties or risk being voted out in the 2027 general elections.

At a high-level political gathering held in Umuahia over the weekend, tagged the ADC Convergence of Coalition Partners and themed “Strengthening Alliances for a Better Nigeria”, the ADC’s Abia State Chairman, Mr. Don Norman Obinna, made this declaration. He served as the event’s Chief Convener.

According to Obinna, “The ADC is adopted as a coalition party to right the wrongs orchestrated by the APC. The unemployment rate is alarming, the naira is in free fall, and the civil servants’ minimum wage is a national disgrace.”

He added that the coalition’s mission is to “bring succour to the people, chase hunger out of Nigeria, and restore the country to a trajectory of prosperity.”

Obinna revealed that the ADC had been adopted as the official political platform for the growing coalition of parties, a move expected to be formalized following consultations in Abuja.

He confirmed that key opposition leaders, such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi, participated in the coalition-building efforts.

“If Governor Otti refuses the call to join the coalition, it would democratically remove him in the 2027 elections,” Obinna warned.

Notable attendees at the Umuahia event included Senator Austin Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central) who served as the Chairman, Professors Uzoma Emmanuel and Max Nduaguibe, and Chief Chinkwe Udensi, who were among the guest speakers.

The gathering attracted influential politicians, civil society actors, youths, and reform-driven thinkers, all unified by a vision of a better Nigeria through political alliance.

Emphasizing the ideological foundation of the movement, Obinna declared: “I am therefore inviting Governor Alex Otti and others who have good intentions and are aspiring for elective positions to join the coalition or miss out in 2027.”

He insisted that the coalition aims not just for political realignment but to correct what he described as “years of governance failure, economic mismanagement, and citizen disenfranchisement at both state and federal levels.”

During a lecture titled “Leadership Imperatives for a Successful Coalition and Merger Outcome,” Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), outlined key leadership principles necessary for coalition success.

These include shared ideology, integrity, equity, internal democracy, youth and women inclusion, collective messaging, conflict resolution, and a long-term national vision.

Warning against superficial unity, Nwafor said, “If merging or coaligning is only to defeat the APC, the coalition is already weak.”

“So let us not merge with noise just to wrestle power, but coalign and merge for nation-building, restoration of hope, and a new belief system, which is the kind of coalition Nigeria needs.”

In another address, Professor Uzoma Emmanuel Afamefuna stressed the significance of inclusive governance and civic engagement in shaping a prosperous Nigeria.

“Nigeria has the resources, but its problem has always been leadership,” he noted.

He praised the ADC’s coalition effort and expressed confidence that with coordinated grassroots mobilization, the opposition could present a credible alternative in 2027.

He also advocated for rotational leadership, equitable representation, and issue-driven campaigns, warning the South East against electoral compromise.

“Do not sell your votes for rice, wrappers, or fake promises,” he urged, emphasizing that “only through citizen-led accountability can Nigeria chart a new course.”

Meanwhile, Blessed Amalambu, a former ADC House of Assembly candidate in Abia State, offered a word of caution.

He warned against the imposition of candidates and infiltration by corrupt figures.

He advised the coalition to “critically screen aspirants before presenting them to the electorate to vote for.”