ADC Candidates Unite on Leadership Shift, Urge Coalition Due Process

ADC 2023 guber candidates endorse leadership transition, advise Atiku, Obi, others

Former gubernatorial candidates of Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) have thrown their weight behind the party’s ongoing leadership transition while urging high-profile political allies to formalize their membership through lawful channels. Speaking at a press briefing in Benue State, Engr. Terhemen Tilley-Gyado, the ADC’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate in the state, underscored the need for stability and adherence to constitutional processes amid recent internal developments.

The group commended former national chairman Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu for his “voluntary” resignation, aligning with party protocols, and endorsed Deputy National Chairman Hon. Nafiu Bala as acting leader until the election of a new chairperson. They emphasized that this step would preserve institutional continuity, adding that only registered members would be eligible for roles within the ADC—a clear signal to external actors seeking influence without formal affiliation.

Notably, the candidates addressed coalition partners, including prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, advising them to comply with legal requirements before aligning with the party. They urged these leaders to officially resign from their current parties and enroll as ADC members at local ward levels, stressing that partnerships must be “anchored on transparency, legality, and shared vision.” The move appears aimed at curbing potential internal discord or power struggles as Nigeria’s political landscape evolves ahead of future elections.

Tilley-Gyado, speaking on behalf of the former candidates, characterized the ADC’s stance as a safeguard against opportunism. “We welcome collaboration, but it must follow due process,” he asserted. The emphasis on membership formalization reflects broader concerns about party integrity, particularly as Nigeria’s opposition groups explore alliances to counterbalance the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While the ADC has historically played a minor role in national politics, its efforts to attract seasoned politicians signal ambitions to expand its influence. The call for stringent membership rules coincides with heightened speculation about potential defections from larger parties, though none of the named coalition leaders have publicly responded to the ADC’s demands.

Analysts suggest the party’s internal restructuring and outreach to high-profile figures could reshape its trajectory, provided it balances openness with disciplined governance. For now, the ADC’s former candidates have positioned themselves as custodians of institutional norms, framing their appeal as both a rebuke to backdoor maneuvering and an invitation for principled collaboration.

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