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African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said zoning discussions were not on its radar for now, insisting that its immediate concern was how to build a strong, credible opposition that Nigerians could trust.
According to the National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party remained focused on establishing a firm national presence. He noted that ADC’s emergence had halted Nigeria’s drift towards a one-party system within just a few months.
He said the party’s impact was already evident nationwide, arguing that Nigerians no longer lacked an opposition voice capable of challenging misdirection of governments.
He stressed that since many Nigerians wanted an alternative party to continue, ADC must demonstrate readiness to govern through clear plans and credible proposals.
He noted the party was expanding rapidly, with the establishment of offices in 28 states within five months, yet acknowledging significant work ahead, especially in completing nationwide membership registration.
Abdullahi dismissed zoning debates as premature, describing them as strategic issues best addressed later, not while the party was still building essential structures and internal systems.
“Our duty or responsibility as a political party right now is not the issue of zoning.
“This is the time to convince Nigerians that we represent that viable alternative by showing that we are not only out to grab power but convincing them that the ADC represents the alternative,” he said.
On maintaining party cohesion, he stated that the party’s constitution prevents individuals or groups from dominating the party, a safeguard which, he said, was shaped by failures witnessed in other political platforms.
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He said many ADC members arrived as ‘political refugees’ from destabilised parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and even the APC after being sidelined or displaced by internal contradictions.
“We are very conversant with what pushed us here, which are some of the internal contradictions within those parties.
“That is why in building the ADC, we are ensuring that we are starting on a different philosophy of politics. We have leaders, but they cannot say that they are in control of the party.
“We are mindful of where we are coming from and what has led to the destabilisation of those other political parties,” he added.
He explained that unchecked ambition had ruined many political parties, noting that the ADC had avoided such pitfalls, with no member publicly declaring bids for governorship, senate or presidency.
“Even those who want to be president, it’s just rumour. Nobody has come out to say that he or she wants to be president.
“And that’s the kind of discipline that we’re trying to impose on ourselves – let us build a political party first. After building the party, it will be able to accommodate everybody’s ambition,” he stated.
The ADC spokesman concluded that the party’s aim is to maintain strong internal unity, while staying alert against any external interference, ensuring that it grows steadily enough to carry every member’s future ambition.
