The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared itself an “unstoppable political force,” while accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of actions it says threaten Nigeria’s democratic framework.
The declaration was contained in the party’s Secretariat report presented by its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, at the ADC’s 8th National Convention held in Abuja on Tuesday.
In the report, the party asserted that its emergence and growth are rooted in the will of Nigerians, insisting that no individual, group, or institution can determine its existence. It added that the ADC is founded on constitutional guarantees of freedom of association and driven by widespread dissatisfaction with economic conditions and governance.
Framing its agenda as a “national rescue effort,” the ADC criticised the APC-led administration over what it described as worsening economic indicators, including currency depreciation, rising fuel prices, and declining living standards. The report noted that the naira has weakened significantly—from about N700 to the dollar in 2023 to roughly N1,400—while petrol prices have surged from below N238 per litre to around N1,400, increasing the cost of transportation and daily living.
The party also raised concerns over electricity supply, alleging that power availability has deteriorated, with some communities experiencing only a few hours of electricity daily.
On governance, the ADC warned against what it termed “kakistocracy” and accused the ruling party of undermining electoral accountability. It further criticised the administration’s education record, claiming that the number of out-of-school children has risen to about 20 million, while more than 130 million Nigerians are affected by multidimensional poverty.
The report argued that the current administration has fallen short of its key promises and should be held accountable by voters.
In a direct criticism of the electoral body, the ADC accused INEC of failing in its statutory responsibility by not monitoring its convention, describing the move as a “dereliction of duty” and indicative of partisan bias. The party cited provisions of the Electoral Act, maintaining that the commission is legally required to observe political party conventions, particularly those involving leadership elections and candidate selection.
The ADC warned that any attempt to delegitimise its activities could erode democratic norms and called on the international community to monitor developments in Nigeria’s political environment.
Despite the tensions, the party expressed confidence in its expanding influence, stating that it has rapidly evolved into a formidable opposition platform following recent restructuring and coalition-building efforts.
Reaffirming its readiness for the 2027 general elections, the ADC urged Nigerians to support what it described as a movement aimed at reclaiming the country’s political and economic direction.
