The African Democratic Congress has inaugurated a 63-member campaign organisation in Cross River State as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with its leaders calling for a change in leadership over the country’s economic challenges.
The inauguration took place in Calabar on Wednesday, with the National Coordinator of the Atiku/Amaechi Campaign Organisation, Ekpo Okon, saying Nigeria needed committed leaders capable of addressing its worsening economic situation.
Okon said the inauguration marked the beginning of the party’s mobilisation efforts to attract voters and promote its candidates ahead of the elections scheduled for January and February 2027.
He criticised the Federal Government’s removal of the fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, arguing that the policies had worsened the living conditions of Nigerians.
The ADC chieftain also questioned the utilisation of funds saved from subsidy removal and the impact of increased government borrowing on national development.
He said, “The government has failed to demonstrate how borrowed funds and subsidy savings have translated into meaningful development.”
Okon further faulted rising university tuition fees, arguing that the introduction of student loans had placed additional financial pressure on economically disadvantaged families.
He advocated subsidising local petroleum production through the supply of crude oil to domestic refineries at reduced rates to make petroleum products more affordable.
“We advocate subsidising local petroleum production through crude oil supply to domestic refineries at reduced rates to make the products more affordable,” he said.
He urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and educate Nigerians on the economic implications of government policies ahead of the elections.
Speaking at the event, the ADC governorship candidate in Cross River State, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, promised to transform the state from what she described as a society focused on survival into a thriving, people-centred community.
Toyo said the party had developed a comprehensive manifesto centred on citizens’ welfare, economic growth, strong institutions and improved productivity.
She also criticised the country’s political culture, particularly the use of religion in political campaigns, insisting that the ADC prioritised the rule of law, accountability, security and citizens’ empowerment.
The governorship candidate accused the All Progressives Congress of failing to deliver tangible achievements after 12 years in power, alleging that the ruling party had resorted to personal attacks against opposition figures.
Earlier, the ADC state chairman, Godwin Effanga, described Toyo as competent and experienced, saying she had the capacity to address the state’s development challenges.
Effanga urged Cross River residents to look beyond party affiliations and support the ADC, which he said offered an opportunity to rescue the state from poor governance.
He also charged party members to intensify voter mobilisation and protect their votes during the 2027 elections, stressing that the exercise would determine the future of their children.
The inauguration comes days after a faction of the ADC led by its factional National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, inaugurated its North-West Campaign Council in Sokoto State as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.
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