The African Democratic Congress (ADC) today unveiled key priorities in its emerging manifesto, with security reform, tax restructuring and social welfare ranking high in its interim policy framework.
At the presentation of the report in Abuja, the party said weaknesses in the justice system, particularly delays in prosecution, have undermined efforts to curb kidnapping and banditry, reports The Nation.
To address this, the Policy and Manifesto Committee recommended classifying such crimes as terrorism, alongside measures to ensure swift and credible justice to serve as a deterrent.
The interim report also proposed changes to the tax system, including exempting subsistence income from taxation.
The committee argued that many Nigerians already bear the cost of basic services such as electricity and security, and should not be further burdened.
It said a fair tax regime should shift responsibility toward those with higher earning capacity, while protecting low-income earners.
On social welfare, the committee proposed a Social Protection Act to guarantee continuity of safety-net programmes across administrations, noting that the measure would prevent disruption of interventions and institutionalise support for vulnerable groups.
The proposals are contained in the interim report submitted by a 50-member committee chaired by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Receiving the report, the National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, said the document marked a step in positioning the ADC as a governing alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the framework reflects a focus on practical policy options rather than political rhetoric, noting that past reforms in Nigeria were often poorly sequenced and lacked safeguards for vulnerable populations.
Mark said the committee also proposed gradual and sequenced economic reforms, backed by social protection measures to cushion their impact.
“Policy must be useful, precise, and capable of delivering real impact,” he said, adding that the committee was mandated to address structural causes of national challenges.
He said the party’s approach is anchored on “democratic citizenship,” which places citizens at the centre of governance and public institutions.
According to him, government performance should be measured by improvements in citizens’ welfare, security and economic opportunities.
Mark said the submission of the interim report concludes the first phase of the committee’s work, with the next stage focusing on consultations and refinement.
He directed the committee to engage stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones to ensure the final manifesto reflects public input.
The party plans to adopt the final document at its national convention scheduled for April.
Earlier, Odigie-Oyegun said the report lays the foundation for a coherent policy direction, describing it as a governance framework rather than a list of promises.
He said the committee reviewed key sectors through 11 sub-committees and identified institutional weaknesses as a major constraint to national development.
The next phase, he said, will focus on harmonising proposals, ensuring fiscal realism and defining implementation pathways, before producing a final manifesto.
He added that the document would outline a governance plan aimed at strengthening state capacity, improving the rule of law and expanding economic productivity.
