The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set to welcome at least three former federal ministers and several top political figures into its fold ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to Prince Jolayemi Akadi, Chairman of the party’s Kwara State chapter.
Prince Akadi made the disclosure today during the inauguration of the ADC’s new state secretariat along Olorunsogo Road, Ilorin, reports Daily Independent.
The event also marked a strategic convergence between the ADC and the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), a civil society organisation engaged in grassroots mobilisation and political education across Nigeria.
Speaking with optimism about the party’s growing momentum, Akadi said the high-profile defectors share ADC’s vision for political transformation and grassroots empowerment.
“We are at 90 percent agreement with these leaders,” Akadi said.
“They know what’s at stake and they are joining us to help reposition Kwara and Nigeria.
“But to succeed, we must be selfless like our national leaders who have shown readiness to step aside for others in the interest of coalition building.”
The Kwara ADC chairman emphasized the party’s commitment to accommodating strategic allies, stressing the importance of compromise and collaboration.
“In a merger or coalition, there must be give and take. Positions are not permanent.
“We must be ready to make way when necessary to strengthen the platform,” he added.
ADC has recently gained national traction, especially after prominent opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, identified the party as a viable coalition vehicle for defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Reflecting on lessons from the 2023 general elections, Akadi noted that future victories will be built from the grassroots.
“Fifty percent of the votes we need are from ward level.
“That’s why we’re working with people who have already made an impact in their communities,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, COPDEM Board of Trustee member, Aloysius Nwora, delivered a scathing critique of the APC-led federal government, blaming it for Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis.
“This is not just a convergence of parties, it’s a convergence of the masses against a government that has failed them,” Nwaora said.
He painted a stark picture of economic decline, citing firsthand experiences from his work in the building materials sector.
“Labourers from Niger, Togo, and Benin used to come here for jobs. Now, they’re returning home because their economies and wages are better than ours.
“In the past, you could pay a Nigerien N30,000 to upload a trailer. Today, they won’t accept even N100,000 because they earn more back home. That’s how low we’ve fallen under APC,” he said.
With growing discontent and new alliances forming, ADC appears to be positioning itself as a major player in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
