The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared its determination to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges, citing corruption, tyranny, and poor governance.
The party's founder and former national chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, made the declaration during the ADC and National Coalition Alliance (NCA) Leadership Summit in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
Nwosu accused state governors of diverting local government funds, citing the example of Ebonyi State, where he claimed that governors seize billions of naira meant for local councils. He condemned the governors' actions, stating that they are using power to destroy democracy.
The ADC/NCA coalition is promising a new leadership model anchored on selflessness, transparency, stewardship, and service. Nwosu emphasized that the party is committed to pulling Nigeria out of its current difficulties and creating a prosperous nation.
He said "Every month, each local government receives between ₦300 million and ₦600 million. Governors seize the money, hand chairmen just ₦5 million or ₦10 million, and pocket the rest.
“With 13 councils in Ebonyi alone, imagine the billions syphoned monthly. And after pocketing these funds, they still tax even barrow pushers. Terrible people. That must stop.” He said.
He accused the state governors of turning power into an instrument of oppression, destroying the democracy that brought them into office.
“You were given the opportunity by God to be governor, yet you are using that power to destroy the same democracy. You don’t want young people to even aspire to be councillors unless they join cults. But a new leadership is emerging, rooted in selflessness and service,” he stressed, saying that he had refused huge financial inducements to abandon the coalition’s struggle.
“If I wanted billions or positions in government, I could have collected. But I will not mortgage the future of Nigerians. Our movement is beyond politics because it is about pulling Nigeria from intensive care to a healthy and prosperous nation,” he declared.
He also condemned attempts to disrupt the summit by branding ADC members as “terrorists”.
“They called our members terrorists and tried to stop us from holding this event. If they try it again, we will mobilise enough men to chase them out of government houses. This tyranny cannot continue,” he warned.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the NCA, Dr Sunday Andrew Opoke, urged Nigerians to vote out failed leaders in 2027, stressing that governance in the country had collapsed.
“Our education system has collapsed. No minister or commissioner of education has a child in public schools. Our health system is in ruins. Water, electricity, infrastructure—all gone. If we hired these leaders and they failed, it is time to fire them,” he said.
Opoke said the ADC/NCA coalition was offering the roadmap Nigeria lacked.
“Everywhere in the world, governance requires a roadmap. Without direction, speed is useless. ADC and NCA are bringing that roadmap to deliver a Nigeria that works like England, France, Japan, and Canada. Nigeria is in the dark, but this darkness will be removed,” he declared.
Opoke equally emphasisedthe need for urgent electoral reforms, insisting that “without electoral reform, these acts of shame will continue.”
The Ebonyi State ADC chairman, Comrade Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, had earlier described the harassment and arrest of party members before the event as an insult to democracy.
“This is a governor who claimed to have given all parties a level playing field, yet our members were harassed and arrested by civilians, not even police. Citizens have a constitutional right to belong to any political party of their choice. Thankfully, the police listened to us, released everyone, and returned all seized property,” she said.
She reaffirmed that the ADC had functional structures across all 13 LGAs and 171 wards of Ebonyi State, vowing to contest strongly in 2027.
The ADC National Financial Secretary, Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dalhaltu, said intimidation had become a trademark of APC-led governments but noted that Nigerians had lost faith in them.
“This disruption is no surprise. From Kebbi to Kaduna, APC has always used touts and security forces to frustrate us. But Nigerians are tired after Buhari’s eight years and the current administration’s failures. Who in his right senses will vote APC again in 2027?” he asked.
Dalhatu praised the coalition spirit in ADC, saying no single party could unseat the ruling APC alone.
“Only a coalition can deliver Nigeria. That is why we thank God for the sacrifices of Chief Ralph Nwosu and other leaders who handed power to the new team under Distinguished Senator David Mark. Nigerians are ready, and ADC will lead the country in 2027,” he declared.
Post a Comment