The founding National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nwosu, has declared that the 2027 elections will not hold if the party is not on the ballot. Speaking at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja during the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit, Nwosu stated that the opposition party has already secured the required statistics and numbers to take over from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Coalition Achievements and Challenges
Nwosu highlighted that through the Coalition, the ADC has recorded phenomenal achievements. He revealed that as of Tuesday evening, some serving senators from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties were still in talks with ADC leadership to join the party. He attributed the current challenges facing the party to the existing culture of impunity in Nigerian politics, describing it as a dirty culture that is difficult to change but pledging to continue working hard to transform it.
Determination and Strategy
He emphasized that changing the culture does not require a million people but a few determined minds. Nwosu expressed confidence that the ADC's achievements are phenomenal and cannot be knocked down without endangering democracy itself. He warned that those in power, especially in third-world countries, who love impunity and feel they can play God, would try everything when their time is over. He declared that the time is politically over for Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, asserting that they must go.
Membership and Registration
Nwosu noted that the ADC portal already records over 5 million people desirous of paying to become members, with projections of at least 11 million by the close of registration. He insisted that Tinubu cannot conduct any election in the country if the ADC is not on the ballot.
Youth and Women Inclusion
The ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, stressed that the 35% affirmative action for youth and women must go beyond declarations. He called on the ADC leadership under Senator David Mark not to preach inclusion while practicing exclusion. Rufai asserted that the party constitution has already settled the question of inclusion, with provisions that are sacrosanct and non-negotiable. These include twelve governorship tickets reserved for the youth, at least one Senate ticket in every state belonging to the youth, and 10-15 State Houses of Assembly slots per state designated for young people.
Structural Reforms
Rufai announced the immediate establishment of three critical structures within the party's youth wing: the Youth Aspirants Screening Committee, the Youth Opinion Poll Committee, and the Youth Leaders Advisory Committee on INEC and Litigations. These bodies aim to ensure credible candidates, scientifically gauge grassroots support, and strengthen compliance and legal defense of mandates.
Call for Action
Former Special Assistant on Digital and Social Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, addressed the gathering, stating that young Nigerians have been spectators in politics for too long. She declared that the era of exclusion has ended, describing the 20% affirmative action in the ADC constitution as a correction and structural rebalancing of power. She urged aspirants to develop skills in legislative competence, communication, negotiation, oversight, constituency engagement, ethical judgment, and strategic thinking to thrive in public office.
Onochie concluded that Nigeria, with one of the youngest populations in the world, cannot continue to be governed by outdated ideas. She emphasized the need for legislators who understand innovation, unemployment, digital transformation, insecurity, and economic disruption from experience, making the emergence of youth leaders not optional but necessary.
