politics

ADC New Secretariat Signals Bold Political Ambition

Published

12 months ago

November 17, 2025

Q Tinny

ADC new secretariat opens in Abuja as the party dismisses speculation on opposition realignment and reaffirms its coalition goals

ADC new secretariat has been inaugurated in Abuja, marking what party leaders describe as a renewed statement of intent as the African Democratic Congress positions itself for deeper national influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also read: ADC Denies Christian Genocide Claim in Nigeria

The unveiling, held on Monday, took place without the presence of prominent opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, both of whom the ADC has been actively courting for full membership.

The building, now serving as the party’s national headquarters, previously functioned as Atiku’s presidential campaign office during his last run under the Peoples Democratic Party.

This connection had triggered speculation about new political alignments within the opposition.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed such interpretations, stressing that the new headquarters should not be viewed as a strategic signal.

He explained that Atiku’s tenancy simply expired and the ADC subsequently acquired the property.

He said the move was purely administrative. According to him, it carries no hidden messages about ongoing conversations within the broader opposition coalition.

Abdullahi emphasised that the party remains committed to fairness and internal stability as it prepares for its congresses scheduled for February.

He argued that injustice and internal exclusion have destabilised other parties, insisting that the ADC is determined to avoid such pitfalls.

He added that legacy chairmen remain part of the party’s leadership structure, a decision he described as a testament to ADC’s commitment to inclusiveness.

Abdullahi also addressed questions about the standing of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

He explained that both men had been given until the end of the Anambra election cycle to make a definitive decision regarding full participation in the coalition. Now that the election has concluded, he said the ADC expects clarity from all involved stakeholders.

According to him, leadership positions within the coalition remain unchanged until further consultations are completed.

ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, told party members that the new headquarters symbolises the coalition’s ambition to reshape Nigeria’s political future.

He described the complex as an engine room for refining strategy, grooming leaders, and strengthening democratic institutions.

Mark said the new home of the ADC embodies the desire for better governance and deeper accountability. He emphasised that the building will serve as the operational centre for policies that aim to uplift communities and reinforce national stability.

The ADC continues to push for all opposition coalition members to resign from their various parties and formally register with the ADC.

Also read: ADC Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising Hunger in Nigeria

However, this push has encountered resistance from key figures who remain cautious about dissolving their political structures ahead of the 2027 challenge to President Bola Tinubu.

Up Next

Senator Natasha Akpoti Pays Tribute to Late Colleague

Don't Miss

PDP Ibadan 2025 Convention Signals Powerful Turning Point

Q Tinny

Click to comment

politics

2027: Political Parties Mobilise Thousands of Polling Agents

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Political parties in Nigeria have intensified the recruitment and training of polling agents ahead of the 2027 general elections, as preparations shift towards securing representation at polling units across the country.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are putting structures in place to monitor voting, counting and collation of results.

The development comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduces an electronic platform for political parties to nominate and submit the details of their polling agents, replacing the manual submission system used in previous elections.

Nigeria has 176,846 polling units, making nationwide representation a major logistical undertaking for parties seeking to monitor the electoral process from the grassroots.

The APC has claimed that it has recruited 4,421,150 polling agents across the country’s polling units.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, disclosed the figure while speaking at a two-day national retreat of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja.

The ruling party said its mobilisation was part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence and ensure adequate representation during the elections.

The opposition parties are also developing their own strategies, with some focusing on recruiting committed members, screening nominees and training officials responsible for submitting agents’ details to INEC.

PDP trains officials, warns against double agents

The PDP has begun training its state executives and officials responsible for uploading the details of its polling agents to INEC’s online portal.

At a capacity-building session in Abuja on November 2, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, urged participants to take the exercise seriously and extend the training to officials at the local government and ward levels.

He stressed that election monitoring began at polling units, where party agents played an important role in protecting candidates’ interests.

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, also cautioned state executives against engaging individuals who were not committed members of the party.

Bature warned against the recruitment of so-called double agents who could abandon their responsibilities or work for rival parties during elections.

He urged party officials to properly screen nominees and prioritise loyal members who had demonstrated commitment to the organisation.

The PDP subsequently directed its state secretaries to submit their agents’ details to the national leadership by December 2, ahead of the commission’s submission deadline.

Labour Party draws lessons from 2023 election

The Labour Party has also commenced the recruitment, screening and notification of polling agents as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Its Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, said the party was drawing lessons from the 2023 general elections, particularly the difficulties it encountered in obtaining comprehensive coverage of polling units.