The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has pledged to lead an issue-based campaign focused on national unity, economic recovery, and inclusive governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the party’s convention in Abuja, Kachikwu said Nigeria was at a critical stage in its history, stressing that the country needed courageous leadership capable of addressing insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and social division.
The ADC presidential candidate thanked party leaders, delegates, and supporters for the confidence reposed in him, describing his emergence as a call to service and national sacrifice.
According to him, leadership should not be about occupying positions of power but about responsibility, accountability, and service to the people.
“For too long, politics has benefited only a few while the majority of Nigerians continue to suffer. That must change,” he stated.
Kachikwu said the ADC remained committed to rebuilding public trust and restoring hope among Nigerians through policies driven by merit, competence, and patriotism rather than ethnicity or political favoritism.
He stressed that elections should be contests of ideas and practical solutions, not campaigns built on division, identity politics, or empty promises.
The ADC flag bearer challenged political actors to clearly present their economic blueprints to Nigerians, including plans for production, job creation, industrial growth, and sustainable development.
“It is not enough to seek power. Nigerians deserve to know what leaders plan to do with that power and how they intend to improve the lives of citizens,” he said.
Kachikwu also advocated greater inclusion of women and young people in governance, noting that no modern society could develop while excluding critical segments of its population from decision-making processes.
On governance, he maintained that public officials must rely on the same public institutions used by ordinary citizens, including healthcare, education, and other social services, to promote accountability and improved service delivery.
The ADC presidential candidate further urged Nigerians not to lose hope despite the nation’s current challenges, assuring that collective commitment and responsible leadership could reposition the country for progress and prosperity.
He called on Nigerians to unite in building a nation founded on justice, fairness, opportunity, and good governance.
The ADC convention attracted party stakeholders, delegates, and supporters from across the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of ADC Chairmen, Kingsley Ogga, described the convention as a defining moment for the party, saying the ADC had emerged stronger despite internal challenges and political turbulence.
Addressing delegates, party executives, aspirants, youth and women groups, supporters, and stakeholders, Ogga said the convention represented “a statement of survival, resilience, unity, and hope” for the party and its members nationwide.
According to him, many members remained loyal to the ADC despite pressures, intimidation, distractions, and internal disagreements, adding that their sacrifices had kept alive the vision of building a credible political alternative for Nigerians.
“True challenges do not destroy strong movements; they refine them. Difficult times expose weaknesses, but they also reveal courage, loyalty, and conviction,” he said.
Ogga stressed that unity, discipline, and sacrifice remained critical to the survival and growth of any political party, urging members to recommit themselves to the ideals of fairness, accountability, inclusion, and mutual respect.
He noted that Nigerians were increasingly tired of politics driven by bitterness, selfish ambition, division, and greed, adding that the ADC must position itself as a political family founded on trust, competence, compassion, and integrity.
The ADC chieftain said the party was focused on rebuilding trust, strengthening its structures, and repositioning itself ahead of future elections.
He also called for greater inclusion of women and young people in the party’s activities, saying every member must feel valued and empowered within the political process.
While acknowledging divisions within the party, Ogga maintained that the ADC remained open to reconciliation and dialogue with aggrieved members willing to return and contribute to the party’s growth.
“Our doors remain open to genuine dialogue, renewed loyalty, and collective commitment to the vision of the ADC,” he stated.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the ADC, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir, called for strict adherence to the party’s constitution and the laws of the country amid the party’s internal crisis.
He said political parties must be guided by democratic principles and constitutional provisions, stressing that no individual was bigger than the party.
According to him, the crisis within the ADC stemmed from attempts by certain individuals to dominate the party’s leadership structure contrary to established rules and democratic values.
“The ADC is not a private entity. It must operate within the framework of the law and its constitution,” he said.
Bashir described the party’s presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, as honest, intellectual, and committed to peaceful resolution of disputes within the party.
He commended Kachikwu for refusing to escalate tensions despite the internal disagreements affecting the party.
“A good leader must carry the people along and work for togetherness. Politics is about dealing with all kinds of people — the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he said.
The ADC National Chairman warned against selfishness and injustice within political organisations, saying such tendencies often fuel division and weaken party structures.
He reaffirmed the party’s determination to provide constructive opposition in the country and pledged continued efforts to reposition the ADC for greater relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Bashir also appealed to aggrieved members to return to the party and work together toward strengthening the ADC ahead of future electoral contests.
By Georgina Humphrey
