2027 Elections Won’t Hold Without ADC –Nwosu
•By Admin
ABUJA —- FOUNDING National Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu has declared that the 2027 elections will not hold with the ADC on the ballot.
He also blamed the current challenges facing the ADC on the existing culture of impunity in Nigeria politics, adding that in taking over ADC, the Coalition did everything right and nothing was done wrong.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the party National Secretariat during the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit, organised by the office of the National Youth Leader, Nwosu boasted that the opposition party has already secured required statistics and numbers to take over from the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Revealing that up till Tuesday’s evening some serving Senators in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties were still talking to ADC leadership to join the party, Nwosu said with Coalition the party has recorded phenomenal achievements.
The large gathering brought together young men and women who are contesting one position or the other across the country, with prominent party leaders in attendance.
The event is also meant to strengthen youth and women participation in leadership for public office.
Decrying the impunity in the nation’s politics, Nwosu said, “the culture in place is dirty. It’s very difficult to change the culture but we will continue working very hard to do so once we are determined. You don’t need a million people to do it you just need a few determined minds.
“With the number we have today in ADC, what we have achieved by the Coalition is phenomenal and no matter how anybody think they can knock this down they cannot. To knock this down will be almost as knocking our democracy down and God will not allow that. We have put enough strategies in places to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
“But what you may hear happening and see happening now, when people in power, especially in the third world country, people who love impunity and feel that they can play God, when they are in power they would try everything, especially when it’s clear to them that their time is over.
“The time is over for Tinubu politically, and he must go. The time is over for Akpabio (Senate President), and they must go.
“The statistics are already there in our portal. I think we’re already recording over 5 million people who are desirous to pay money and to become members of ADC. By the time the registration will close down, if it has not closing down by today, we will have minimum of 11 millions people that are ready to contribute money.
“Despite the challenges the government in place is deliberately throwing at us, yesterday some senators decided they are joining the ADC.
“All I know is that Tinubu and Amupitan cannot conduct any election in this country if ADC is not on the ballot.”
He appealed to the youths to remain committed and steadfast, saying ADC has already allocated 50% to young people and the women in its constitution.
Earlier in his remarks, ADC National Youth Leader, Comrade Balarabe Rufai, said the 35% affirmative action for youth and women must go beyond declarations.
Rafai declared that ADC leadership under Senator David Mark should not preach inclusion and practice exclusion, especially to the youth constituency.
“As we approach our party primaries, let it be stated without hesitation or ambiguity, The Constitution of the African Democratic Congress has already settled the question of inclusion and its provisions are sacrosanct and non negotiable.
“The Youth Constituency is not begging for space. We are asserting our constitutional rights. By the binding authority of our party constitution: Twelve Governorship tickets are reserved for the Youth Constituency. At least one Senate ticket in every state belongs to the youth.
“10-15 State Houses of Assembly slots per state are designated for young people. These are not promises, they are not political conveniences, they are enforceable commitments.”
While appealing to Senator David Mark – led ADC to implement provisions of the party constitution without compromise, the youth leader charged the gathering not to be discouraged, sidelined nor lose faith.
He said: “Assert your place because when the youth take their rightful position, the party becomes stronger. And when the youth lead, victory becomes inevitable.
“It is on this basis that we must empower those who are ready to lead, regardless of age, but with full recognition that the youth are prepared, qualified, and determined.
“To further institutionalize transparency, credibility, and strategic coordination within the ranks of the party, the Youth Wing will immediately establish three critical structures, Youth Aspirants Screening Committee, to ensure only credible, competent, and prepared youth candidates emerge.
“Youth Opinion Poll Committee, to scientifically gauge grassroots support and guide strategic decisions.
“Youth Leaders Advisory Committee on INEC and Litigations, to strengthen compliance, electoral preparedness, and the legal defense of our mandates, the Youth Leaders Advisory Committee on INEC and Litigations will work in close collaboration with party leadership.
“As institutional independence erodes, we will confront impunity, uphold justice, and reinforce credible opposition, because no democracy survives without a vigilant, principled opposition.”
In her goodwill message, former Special Assistant on Digital and Social Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, said for too long, young Nigerians have been invited into politics as spectators, clapping, campaigning, defending and even carrying bags but never deciding.
She said that era of exclusion has ended, adding that the 20% affirmative action in ADC constitution is not a favour but a correction and a structural rebalancing of power.
Onoche said: “It is also a deliberate transfer of influence from the old guard to a new generation that understands today’s Nigeria—and is ready to build tomorrow’s Nigeria.
“This summit is not about potential. It is about positioning. Not about promises. But about power.You are not here to observe the system. You are here to enter it, shake it up, and ultimately lead it.
“Legislators are not just lawmakers—they are strategists, negotiators, and public trustees. If the National Assembly of Nigeria is to function effectively, its members must combine technical competence with political intelligence.”
She listed legislative & policy competence, Communication & Persuasion, Negotiation & Coalition Building, Oversight & Accountability, Constituency Engagement, Ethical Judgment & Integrity and Strategic Thinking & Political Intelligence as skills the political aspirants must possess to thrive in public offices.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. A nation with one of the youngest populations in the world cannot continue to be governed by dilapidated abd out of date ideas that no longer serve Nigeria’s future.
“We need legislators who understand innovation, who live the realities of unemployment, digital transformation, insecurity, and economic disruption—not from reports, but from experience. That is why your emergence is not optional. It is necessary,” She said.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has clarified some issues in the Wednesday Court judgment.
Abdullahi, in a statement on Wednesday said, “the attention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been drawn to media reports that the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik has sacked the elected, but yet to be inaugurated, State Chairmen of our party.
“It would be recalled that we issued a statement shortly after the congresses stating that the congresses have not truncated the tenure of the current State Executive, which would run its full course before the newly elected State Executives are inaugurated.
“Nevertheless, the leadership of ADC has instructed its legal team to review the said judgement and advise the party appropriately.”