Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralph Nwosu, says the party is strategising for grassroots mobilisation and spread of its ideology.
He said this on Saturday in Enugu at the convergence of coalition partners meeting of the party, with the theme, “Strengthening Alliance for A Better Nigeria.”
Represented by the party’s National Vice Chairman South-East, Mr Godsent Chilos, the national chairman noted that the party has been working to restore good governance and remove millions of Nigerians from the “yoke of hardship imposed on them by the present leadership at all levels.”
According to him, ADC was working to take over the reigns of power at both Federal and state levels and we are ready to move Nigerians from lack and hardship as no one currently in the country is happy with the negative socioeconomic development in Nigeria.
“The insecurity throughout the country is unprecedented and alarming; and doesn’t spare any one, even the rural farmer in his or her village is not safe to peacefully go to the farm any longer.
“The socioeconomic indicators are very negative and plunging millions of Nigerians into abject and generational poverty, making the nation the poverty capital of the world.
“We are launching “Operation Power Must Change Hands” at the grassroots to mobilise Nigerians to see need to change the negative narrative and liberate our people and nation from misrule,” he said.
Nwosu noted that the party would leave no stone unturned in its resolve to turn the socioeconomic and political tide and ensure it betters the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking, a diplomat and policy expert, Dr Chukwuma Okenwa, challenged political parties to provide constructive criticism on negative and counterproductive policies and programmes of the ruling parties at the Federal and State levels.
“Opposition parties in the coubtry should brace-up to play their role of checkmating what the ruling parties are doing in the best interest of Nigerians. You must speak out and make your vioces and perspectives clear in issues that affect Nigerians,” Okenwa said.
He called on political parties to strengthen their internal democracy mechanisms, adding that lack of internal democracy was responsible for crisis in most major political parties in the country and “has eroded the trust Nigerians have in these parties.”
Contributing, the State Coordinator, Nigeria League of Women Voters, Mrs Sylvia Abanah, urged ADC to take advantage of the numerical strength of women during voting and every civic gathering to achieve its winning strategic.
“The ADC stands a better chance of winning elections especially at the state, council area and ward levels when women are made candidates and galvanized to see reasons to vote for their fellow women,” she said.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of ADC Enugu State, Stella Chukwuma, said that what Nigerians are simply asking for “is good governance,” adding that “only good governance can bring the needed development and benefits of democracy to Nigerians.”
Chukwuma noted that ADC had a vast membership and coalition of political partners to take over power and bring people-oriented and people-centred policies and programmes to the country.
“In 2027, we must vote with one voice to change the tide and enthrone good governance in order to tackle the hardship in the land and liberate our people. ADC has come to offer the platform for socioeconomic and political emancipation.
“We have arranged for unprecedented door-to-door grassroot political consciousness and mobilisation as well as ensure we give our people hope of a new Nigeria and better life for them all,” she said.
The chairman noted that the party was open for genuine progressive partnerships with non-governmental organisations and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) to see how best to mobilise Nigerians for geninue change through their votes.
The meeting was attended by coalition parters and over 200 ward, council and state executive members of ADC Enugu State.
