Anambra ADC holds first convergence of coalition partners

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Anambra State, on Friday, June 6, 2025, held its first convergence of coalition partners at Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The event saw in attendance party representatives from leading political parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), etc., as well as some civil societies in Nigeria, coming together under the umbrella of the ADC.

The Keynote Speaker at the event was Prof. Chukwuemeka Innocent.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor, Hon. Sir Geoffrey Ndubisi Nwobu Ph.D, and the Chief of Staff of John Nwosu Campaign Organization, Chief Rt. Hon. Ben Chuks Nwosu.

The event commenced at 12:15pm with an opening prayer, which was followed by the National anthem.

The State Chairman of the party, Hon. Patrick Obianyo, gave the welcome address.

In his address, he emphasized the party’s readiness to take over the state.

He stated that the party is a unifying party that offers a new path which embraces equity, merit and honest service.

In his words, he said: “Together, we shall drive the charlatans out of Agu Awka. Together, we shall reclaim the future.

“Together, we shall make Anambra the pride of Igboland once again.”

He reminded all that collective efforts will help the party reclaim the State.

Obianyo highlighted the fact that the greatest impact will be at the polling unit.

The mobile number 08033515748 was given as the WhatsApp number for communication for the party faithfuls through the elections.

Obianyo then read out the profile of Ndubisi Nwobu.

He stated that Nwobu was one who rose from being the first elected chairman of the PDP to now being the Deputy Governorship aspirant under the ADC.

Hon. Ndubisi Nwobu in his remarks, stated that the partnership formed with members from other parties is one open to all, and is geared towards making ADC grow to greater heights.

Hon. Nwobu notes that the coalition is set to rescue the nation as it is in dire stress.

He cited the insecurity challenges, noting that not less than 5 terrorist groups have formed in the last few years.

He also stated the issue of poverty and corruption, which has dropped the country so low into trouble.

“To rescue this nation, we start from Anambra State, come November 8,” he said.

He stated that we are not being offered an alternative as the state ruling party has aligned with ‘same of the same’ with the national ruling party.

Hon. Nwobu said the rescue mission will be anchored on diligence, honesty, and perseverance, to raise the state to the status that the founding fathers worked for.

“Let’s work together. That is why we have the handshake. When we shake, we work together,” he said

“Our coming together will be so seemless that people will be wondering how we did it,” he added.

Hon. Nwobu explained that the governorship aspirants was out of the country to put things together for a formidable start from July.

The governorship candidate, according to the honorable will be back on Saturday, June 8, 2025.

“If you know me and you know my politics, many political parties will start falling.

“Many of the political parties, APC, PDP, APGA, will collapse,” he added.

Prof of Political Science, presently the director of institute, peace, security and development Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Chukwuemeka Innocent delivered a lecture at the event.

He began by stating that things are not well in the state.

Prof. Chukwuemeka cited how his younger brother was brutalized and detained in Awka South LGA, wondering when LGAs became detention centres.

The Professor of Political Science, spoke on Building and maintaining a sustainable coalition, under a couple of major points.

Meaning Of Political Coalition

Professor Chukwuemeka stated that understanding an existence helps the formation of coalition

Types of Coalition

Pre and post coalition: He stated that these are coalitions that come before an election and after an election.
Formal coalition: This type of coalition requires proper documentation of terms and conditions for the coalition.
Informal coalition: This type does not necessarily require any formal documentation.

Reasons for Coalition

(1) When the political system and citizens are not comfortable with the policies of the ruling party.

(2) To achieve a balance in the political system, by creating a healthy opposition to the ruling party.

(3) Nature of party politics: unfortunately parties are formed and nurtured only to get into power, and not in doing anything beyond getting into power.

(4) Laws binding policies: he underlined that the law of the nation binding electoral policies
is weak, and it has forced the idea of coalition to come into play.

Advantages of Coalition

Increased power, boost share of resources to achieve greatness, enhanced mobilization.

Maintaining Coalition

(a) Ensure it is beneficial to every member, and every member must be carried along so that advantage is evenly shared

(b) Mutual respect: everyone, notwithstanding the time joined, must be accorded respect.

(c) Willingness to compromise: You must not insist on occupying a position you occupied before joining the party

(d) Strong partnership must be encouraged.

(e) Understand the interests of the coalition members, to avoid issues in negotiations and established boundaries.

(f) Understanding the core principles of the Coalition, these principles must include accountability, and success must not be made halfway and this success must involve everyone.

(g) Market the ideas of the coalition strategically and intentionally.

There must be commitment in marketing the coalition

The 5 Pillars of Coalition

(1) Less is more: The coalition must consolidate on commitment before seeking membership

(2) Individual matters: No member must be treated better than the other.

(3) Wealth interests: There must be harmony between the interests of the individuals in the party and between the party and the society

(4) Planning early

(5) Multi-skilled coalition: simultaneous efforts in reaching out

Sustaining Coalition

Professor Chukwuemeka stated that for a coalition to grow well, there must be communication, to sustain the party coalition.

That is how a party coalition is sustained.

Conflict resolution must be healthy: Issues in the party must be kept confidential so that outsiders have nothing to hold them down with

Branding: this is key, and the brand must be attractive and sold very intentionally.

He said for a new coalition as this, isolation of target audience must be achieved. He encouraged that the coalition must have a stronghold.

Challenges of Coalition

Autonomy: People/parties always want to have their say. So coalition must do well to deal with it

Conflict of interests: Members who form the coalition, according to Prof. Chukwuemeka, will always come with different interests that must be protected and carefully dealt with.

Instability: As long as interests vary, there will likely be instability which must be handled with care.

There was a question and answer session

In response to the question on social psychology of joining a coalition, he said every coalition puts forward ways of relating with one another for the coalition to forge ahead, and the coalition is not any different.

Barrister Nnamdi Anago, former Local Government Chairman, Awka South PDP, served in State disciplinary committee of same party.

But now a representative of the Labour Party.

He admired the partnership of the Coalition and said he would take the message home.

Hon. Dr. C.C Okeke, former party secretary , SDP in 1994, served under PDP during the Mbadinuju administration and other ways he served in the State, led the partners from the PDP to the Coalition.

He stated that there’s a new hope in this new coalition and pledged support for the coalition.

“By the Grace of God, we are moving somewhere.” he concluded.

Representative and leader, Civil Society Organization and leader COPDEM, Architect Emeka .O. Ekwueme also spoke briefly.

He stated that ADC is the only clean party in the state, and members must not allow it to be polluted.

Ekwueme cited the invasion of ‘unknown gunmen’ in Okoh, Anambra State to state that things things were going bad.

He said COPDEM is fully in alliance with ADC.

Representing SDP, Zonal Vice Chairman, Samuel Ezebigbo, said ADC is one with a difference and commended the visible strength of the coalition as seen at the event.

He stated that irrespective of location of the members of the Coalition, the goal of the Coalition is to change the narrative in Anambra State.

Materials of the ADC (including Vests and Face caps) were handed to the representatives of the different parties that attended the Convergence.

This signalled the beginning of a strong Coalition aimed at rescuing Anambra State.

State woman leader, Hon. Celine Adadioranma Ezeafulukwe, with a song appreciated everyone, stating the growth of ADC and its readiness to take over

The ADC Speaker, Chief Rt. Hon. Ben Chuks stated that Peter Obi didn’t win in the last general elections because the opposition parties dis not come together.

He emphasized that unity of opposition will bring victory.

“The collection of Soludo and everyone he relies on, cannot defeat you,” he said

He said he is far more interested in victory than in titles.

Rt. Hon. Ben Chuks stressed that efforts must be made at polling units, stating that 50 votes each from 5,720 votes will bring victory for the party in the State.

He implored everyone to work hard, and not be after titles.

Rt. Hon. Ben Chuks encouraged reach out to everyone in the rural areas and never assume anyone doesn’t matter.

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