By Abubakar Yunusa
The African Democratic Congress has declared itself unstoppable, insisting that no force can halt its rise as it positions to challenge the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party made the declaration on Tuesday at its 8th National Convention in Abuja, where its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, presented the secretariat report, portraying the ADC as a growing opposition force driven by Nigerians’ frustrations.
In in the report, the party distanced itself from any individual or institution, stressing that its existence was rooted in constitutional rights and the collective will of Nigerians.
“We do not owe our existence to any individual or group, including an electoral body masquerading as a neutral umpire,” Aregbesola said.
He added that the ADC was on a “rescue mission” to free Nigeria from what he described as the “strangulating grip” of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The party accused the APC-led government of worsening economic hardship, citing the depreciation of the naira from about N700 to the dollar in 2023 to nearly N1,400 currently.
“This amounts to a 100 per cent devaluation. In an import-dependent economy, this is devastating,” he said.
Aregbesola also lamented the surge in fuel prices, which he said had risen from between N185 and N238 per litre before the current administration to about N1,400.
He noted that the rising cost of transportation had made it increasingly difficult for workers to commute, worsening living conditions across the country.
On power supply, the ADC said the situation had deteriorated, with some communities reportedly receiving only two hours of electricity daily, while others remained in darkness for weeks.
The party further criticised the government’s handling of education and poverty, alleging that the number of out-of-school children had climbed to about 20 million, while over 130 million Nigerians were now multi-dimensionally poor.
“An honest President should simply step down after failing woefully on such promises, rather than seek re-election,” Aregbesola stated.
The ADC also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of bias, following its absence at the party’s convention.
“The decision of INEC to refuse to attend and monitor our convention amounts to dereliction of duty bordering on a dangerously partisan outlook,” the party said.
It maintained that it remained a legally recognised political party and had fulfilled all requirements for its convention.
Highlighting its internal restructuring, the ADC announced the constitution of a caretaker committee, with former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary.
The party said it had, within nine months of its unveiling in July 2025, emerged as the main opposition and minority party in the National Assembly.
Calling on Nigerians to join its movement, Aregbesola warned against political apathy.
“A fence sitter in moments that require decisiveness is either a traitor or a collaborator with those who seek to destroy the country,” he said.
