Nigerians, not INEC, will determine ADC’s fate — Party’s founding chairman, Nwosu

As the founding chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), I must clarify the path forward for our party, especially concerning the upcoming 2027 general election. There has been much talk about internal disputes and factionalism, spearheaded by individuals like Nafiu Gombe and Dumebi Kachikwu, which led to the formation of the David Mark-led ADC coalition. This coalition emerged in the wake of the last election's court judgment, a period where I actively sought alliances.

“

Nigerians, not INEC, will determine ADC’s fate

My consultations were extensive, including multiple meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Rauf Aregbesola. Later, Emeka Nwajuiba approached me, representing a larger group seeking to join forces, including elements from the PDP, CPC, and APC. Recognizing that the ADC alone cannot win, I initiated discussions for a "mega coalition." This process involved forming a negotiation committee with representatives from various states and zones, and crucially, securing the unanimous approval of our National Executive Council (NEC) – comprising 37 state chairmen, zonal executives, and the National Working Committee – a body of over 130 members. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was even present at this NEC meeting, attesting to the legitimacy of our decision.

“

ADC, working with one single party alone, cannot do it.

When we presented our constitution to potential partners, they identified certain limitations that could hinder their full participation. This is a critical point: we must address these constitutional aspects to ensure a truly inclusive and powerful coalition. The ADC's strength lies in its ability to unite diverse political forces, and our internal processes, like the NEC approval, demonstrate our commitment to democratic decision-making. The Nigerian people, not INEC, will ultimately determine the ADC's fate, and a strong, unified coalition is our most viable path to influencing that outcome.

“

Our NEC is all the state chairmen plus the Federal Capital Territory, that is 37 chairmen. Then it also includes all our zonal executives. Each zone has between nine and 13 members, multiplied by six, that is over 70 members. Then the National Working Committee had about 30 members. So, we have a total of over 130 members.