The founding National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu, has declared that the 2027 general elections cannot proceed if his party is excluded from the ballot.
Speaking on Wednesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Nwosu said neither President Bola Tinubu nor the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, could conduct a credible election without the ADC’s participation.
He made the remarks during the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit, where he also expressed confidence that the opposition coalition backing the party has gained enough momentum to challenge the ruling establishment in 2027.
Nwosu said the coalition had already begun attracting interest from across the political spectrum, including lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress and other parties. According to him, some serving senators are currently in talks with ADC leaders about defecting.
He argued that the alliance driving the party’s resurgence followed due process and insisted that its current internal challenges stem from what he described as a broader culture of political impunity in Nigeria.
“The culture is difficult to change, but we are determined,” he said, adding that a small group of committed individuals could still reshape the system.
Nwosu also claimed the party’s membership drive had recorded significant traction. He said more than five million Nigerians had already indicated interest in joining the ADC, with projections suggesting that figure could rise to at least 11 million once registration concludes.
“With the numbers we are seeing, what we’ve achieved is remarkable,” he said. “And no matter the pressure, it won’t be easy to undermine this movement.”
He further argued that attempts to sideline the party would amount to weakening Nigeria’s democratic framework, warning that excluding a major opposition platform from the ballot could have serious political consequences.
In a more direct political jab, Nwosu said the current administration had reached the end of its political cycle, insisting that the 2027 election would mark a turning point.
Meanwhile, the party’s National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, used the event to push for stronger inclusion of young people in the party’s structure. He said existing provisions in the ADC constitution already guarantee representation for youths and women, and should be fully implemented.
Rufai pointed to specific quotas, including reserved governorship tickets for younger candidates, Senate slots in every state, and designated positions in state assemblies. He stressed that these were not symbolic commitments but enforceable provisions.
“Young people are not asking for space; they are asserting their rights,” he said, urging party leaders to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection of candidates ahead of the primaries.
He also announced plans to set up internal structures aimed at strengthening credibility within the party. These include committees to screen youth aspirants, conduct opinion polls, and coordinate legal and electoral strategy, particularly in dealings with INEC.
Adding her voice, Lauretta Onochie said Nigerian youths have long been sidelined in politics despite playing active roles during campaigns. She argued that the ADC’s affirmative action framework represents a necessary correction aimed at rebalancing political power.
However, the party continues to grapple with a lingering leadership crisis.
The dispute stems from disagreements over the transition of power from Nwosu to a new leadership bloc aligned with former Senate President David Mark.
The conflict has led to multiple legal battles, including cases at the appellate level and before the Supreme Court. Earlier this month, INEC removed some party officials from its records, citing a court order to maintain the status quo pending final judgment.
Despite the tensions, Mark has urged calm among party members, insisting that the ADC will continue its activities while awaiting the outcome of the legal process.
With the 2027 elections still some distance away, the unfolding developments within the ADC and its broader coalition are likely to play a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
