Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have called for unity within the party and the selection of a credible presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appeal was made on Tuesday during the party’s national convention in Abuja, attended by prominent figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Rivers State Governor and ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.
Speaking at the event, Amaechi emphasised that electoral success hinges on presenting a strong and broadly acceptable candidate. Reflecting on past political strategies, he said, “We did it in the APC,” noting that stakeholders deliberately chose a viable candidate and avoided divisive considerations that could undermine unity and electoral fortunes.
However, Amaechi expressed concern over Nigeria’s descent into identity-driven politics, where ethnicity and religion increasingly dominate public discourse. He blamed this trend for worsening national challenges and eroding social cohesion.
Arguing for economic pragmatism, Amaechi stated, “Today, religion and ethnicity brought us here. There is no Muslim market, no Christian market. The market is naira.” He urged Nigerians to prioritise shared prosperity over sectional loyalties and called on party members to make decisions based on merit and unity ahead of 2027.
In his remarks, Peter Obi stressed the need for Nigerians to confront national realities with data. He noted that Nigeria had dropped from fourth to eighth in the global terrorism ranking and warned that without collective and decisive action, the country could face further decline.
Obi also highlighted the sharp rise in Nigeria’s public debt, which he said had grown from N87 trillion to nearly N200 trillion, despite the removal of fuel subsidies. He decried what he called inadequate funding in the 2025 budget and its potential impact on the economy, cautioning that failure to act could endanger future generations.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar encouraged ADC members and Nigerians at large to work toward meaningful change in the country’s political trajectory. He reaffirmed his generation’s commitment to securing a better future for the youth, stressing that current efforts are driven by concern for younger Nigerians and generations to come.
The former vice president vowed that corruption would not be tolerated under the ADC, promising strict governance and a firm stance against criminal elements and terrorists threatening national stability. He described the struggle as one for all Nigerians and called for collective responsibility in restoring democratic integrity across the nation’s institutions and governance structures.