The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has declared ADC as Nigeria’s coalition party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting, Nwosu expressed deep concern over the nation’s worsening conditions, highlighting the increasing hardships of daily life and emphasizing that good governance is essential to improving the welfare of citizens. He also lamented the sharp rise in poverty levels across the country.

This announcement comes in the context of a recently formed coalition unveiled on March 20, 2023, by presidential candidates Atiku (Peoples Democratic Party), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai (Social Democratic Party), aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

This development has sparked an ongoing debate over whether opposition parties should unite and which platform would be most effective to challenge President Tinubu’s administration, with political leaders expressing a range of differing views.

Speaking through the Chairman of the ADC, Board of Trustees, Mani Ahmed, Nwosu stated, “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. What remains to be done is nothing other than dotting the I’s and crossing the G’s.

“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.”

This development has sparked an ongoing debate over whether opposition parties should unite and which platform would be most effective to challenge President Tinubu’s administration, with political leaders expressing a range of differing views.

Nwosu stated, “We have watched over the years how things have gradually deteriorated to the extent that normal existence is becoming more and more difficult.

“Statistics have indicated that about 5 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.

“There cannot be any other way to bring about change in the lives of our people that is better than providing good governance. And this governance can only happen when you 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.

“Within the past 20 years of our 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 to our next generation a country better than the one we have met.”

He expressed regret that the ADC has never had the opportunity to lead the country but remained hopeful that 2027 will present better prospects for the party.

ADC National Chairman stated, “The journey that created this opportunity started a very long time ago. And we have had several meetings at the party in order to open up the party, re-engineer our processes, and be able to accommodate the teeming members of the political class that are willing and have lined up to join our great party, the African Democratic Congress.

“Within this month that we are discussing, the party has gone through lots of transformational phases, part of which has resulted in what we are going to actualise today, which is the final phase of the opening up of our party to accommodate the new people that are coming in.”

Nwosu recognized that politicians alone cannot steer Nigeria’s future and urged civil society organizations to play a more active role in the nation-building process.

He continued, “The politicians can’t do it alone and as such, in this process and this journey, we have also involved the civil society organisations as well as grassroots organisations. Because ADC strongly believes that all politics is grassroots politics.

“And we are happy that most of our grassroots and civil society partners are here with us and they’ve been part of this journey and they 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.”