‘ADC Is Unstoppable, It Is Nigeria’s Sun’ — Party Secretariat

The Secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared the party as “unstoppable,” likening its political presence to the sun that cannot be prevented from rising.

This was disclosed in a strongly worded report read by the ADC national secretary, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, at the 8th National Convention of the party in Abuja on Tuesday.

In the report, the party said the ADC did not, and will never, owe its existence to any individual, group, or institution, including what it described as an electoral body that has abandoned neutrality and now operates with “the attire of political partisanship.”

“The ADC does not and will never owe its existence to any individual or group,up including an electoral body masquerading as a neutral umpire with its leadership raggedly robed in the attire of political partisanship,” the report stated.

It said the party draws legitimacy from Nigerians and the Constitution, stressing that its emergence was rooted in citizens’ demand for change.

“The ADC derives its existence from the aspirations and will of the Nigerian people who are tired of the deceit and colossal mismanagement to which this country is being subjugated,” it added.

The party maintained that it was on a mission to rescue the country from what it called the grip of the ruling establishment.

“We are here because the ADC is on a rescue mission to prise the country from the strangulating grasp of the ruling party,” the Secretariat declared.

It accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of policies that have worsened governance and weakened accountability.

“The APC is a party which has foisted on the country an electoral law that states forgery and making false claims in electoral documents is no longer a punishable electoral offence. In other words, the ruling party is decriminalizing criminality,” it said.

On the economy, the report said Nigeria had experienced severe decline since 2023, citing exchange rate depreciation and rising living costs.

“The government’s claim that the recent reduction in the exchange rate shows its mastery of economics is false,” it said.

“In truth, the exchange rate which was about N700 to the dollar when this government assumed office in 2023 is now about N1,400. This amounts to a 100 percent devaluation,” the report added.

It also highlighted fuel price increases, stating that “the cost of a litre of fuel was between N185 and N238 before this administration, now it is about N1,400 per litre and still rising,” adding that transportation costs have become unbearable for many Nigerians.

On power supply, the party said the situation had deteriorated despite earlier assurances.

“The administration told Nigerians that if it does not solve the power problem, it should not be voted for a second term. Today, power supply is far worse,” it said.

It further claimed that some parts of the country now experience only a few hours of electricity daily, while others remain in prolonged blackout.

The report also accused the government of worsening social conditions, especially in education and poverty levels.

“The number of out-of-school children which used to be 18.3 million has lengthened to some 20 million,” it said.

“Today, 130 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor,” the ADC Secretariat added.

The ADC said the country was in crisis and called for urgent intervention.

“The country is in dire straits and we cannot allow this continued drift into hopelessness. The ADC is on a rescue mission. There is no time to spare,” it said.

It also described itself as a rapidly growing opposition force.

“Our party has within nine months transformed into the main opposition party in the country. It has also become the hope of the Nigerian people,” the report stated.

The party announced the constitution of a caretaker leadership structure, naming Senator David Mark as Caretaker National Chairman, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Caretaker National Secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as Caretaker National Publicity Secretary.

On the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party accused the commission of failing to monitor its convention.

“The Commission with or without prior notice SHALL attend and observe any convention… As a party, we have discharged our responsibility and it is now the duty of INEC to do the same,” it said.

“The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to dereliction of duty bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook,” the report added.

The party insisted it remains legally recognised and accused INEC of undermining its existence.

“ADC has not been proscribed by any law or court order. It therefore has the right to continue undertaking its legitimate functions,” it stated.

It also called on the international community to take interest in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“We hereby call on the international community to take special interest in the evolving anti-democratic actions,” it said.

The report concluded with a warning that any attempt to suppress the party would fail.

“This attempt too as initiated by APC and fueled by INEC will collapse like a pack of cards and Nigerians will take back their country,” it stated.