APC will collapse without power — ADC

The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that the only factor holding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is political power.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Thursday at the launch of the Rise Up Naija Movement (RUN) at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Abdullahi said that, at present, only ADC represents the future of politics in Nigeria, as it is built on the philosophy of egalitarianism, where conversations are tolerated.

ALSO READ: Plateau APC primaries: Eight aspirants petition appeal committee over irregularities

He said that with the unveiling of this movement, the African Democratic Congress sees this development as a responsibility to provide a space for younger people and prepare them for leadership.

The ADC spokesperson expressed confidence that the movement will be useful when the party forms the government, especially to check potential distractions from the real issues after gaining power.

Abdullahi said, “I do not doubt in my mind, with what has happened to the Peoples Democratic Party, which is tragic in the context, I have no doubt in my mind that the only thing holding the APC together today is power.

“When you take political power, government power out of APC, you don’t have a political party. This party, the African Democratic Congress, represents the future of politics in Nigeria. It’s the only party built on the philosophy of egalitarianism. It’s the only party you can belong and nobody will tell you what to do and what not to do. It’s the only party where we have conversations; we don’t direct people on what to do.

“ADC today is the only political party whose identity is bigger than any single individual. But whether ADC will fulfill this potential post-2027, because I always say, the biggest challenge we have is how to stop the banditry going on in the Federal Republic of Nigeria today? How do we stop this APC from coming to power again in 2027? If we win in 2027, there is a way power distracts from the real issues.

“Are we going to abandon the work we have started during a formidable political party? That’s going to depend on what you people agree to do going forward. But with this initiative, Rise Up Nigeria, I am more than confident that those of you, and others like you, may be few. But it’s not millions of people that start something. It’s a few people sitting across coffee rooms who have birthed the greatest ideas in the world.

“But I’m immensely delighted that I’m part of this historical event. My hope and desire is that this is going to be the beginning. You know, people talk about the North, and they say the spirit of Sarduana, Ahmadu Bello. But when you hear some people say the spirit of Sarduana, Ahmadu Bello, I don’t think they realise that Ahmadu Bello was not even half their age when he achieved the immortality that they are referring to. When you look at Zik, Awo, all these people we like to talk about, most of you are already older than them.

“There is one message I’m going to leave you here with, is that age is not a credential. Birth certificate is not a credential. It is the work we do going forward that will determine our place in the history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That history, the history of Nigeria, is yet to be written. It’s more or less a blank slate. It’s still waiting to be written. You can write yourself into those chapters.”

Also speaking, a chieftain of the ADC, Alhaji Kashim Imam, who attributed Nigeria’s problem to irresponsible leaders, said the coalition party is committed to doing things differently with a resolve to end corruption.
He said the ADC has a very modest programme for Nigerians and that all aspirants on the platform of the party must commit to a Nigeria that will work for all.”

“I’m also happy that the youths of our party have taken it upon themselves to seize the initiative from we older ones. Because the older generation in this country, we failed Nigerians. We failed the youths. We are bad role models. There is nothing exciting. I’m ashamed of my generation. And I commit, I’m determined, from the day we initiated this party, that things must be done differently,” he added.

The founder of the ADC, Dr. Ralph Nwosu, said, “There is no campaign that anybody is going to do for 2027 or beyond that that should not be that of awakening the country and awakening the young people to take charge of the country.

“All the successes we have recorded for almost the last 20 years, has to do with our young people. Wherever Nigeria has come first, be it music, be it theater, be it art, be it scholarship, it has been about the young people.”

He encouraged the youth to join politics and lift up Nigeria again.

Nwosu expressed optimism about the party’s chances in 2027 despite anticipated challenges.

He said, “At this point, people are going to say it’s almost hopeless for Nigeria. But seeing these young persons here gathered, and you decided to take it on your own to correct the wrong, I’m sure that in 2027 we’re going to get it right.

“It’s going to be challenging. There’s no good thing that doesn’t come with challenges. So to score and succeed better, expect challenges. Some of the institutions I’ve been to in this world, they said, expect challenges. Anything you want to do, expect challenges. And when you expect challenges, you perfect your skills to be able to navigate those challenges and score well.”

Earlier in his address, the National Coordinator of the Rise Up Naija Movement (RUN), Dr Aliyu Audu, said the Rise Up Naija Movement RUN was born from the hopes, frustrations, aspirations, and resilience of millions of Nigerians who still believe that this country can work again and work for all.

He said it is not merely the unveiling of another political platform but the unveiling of a national awakening.
Audu, therefore, said this is a movement that will reconnect Nigerians to governance, mobilise communities from the grassroots to the national level, promote issue-based politics over ethnic and religious division, and help raise a new generation of responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

He said the future of Nigeria will not be built by Nigerians who are willing to stand up, speak up, organise, participate, and lead.

He said, “For too long, too many Nigerians have watched opportunities disappear, institutions weaken, insecurity grow, businesses struggle, and young people lose faith in governance and leadership. Yet despite these challenges, the Nigerian spirit has refused to die.

“RUN is built on that spirit. We are here because we believe Nigeria deserves leadership that works for a Nigeria that works for all.

“We believe governance must move beyond empty promises to measurable progress. Beyond slogans to solutions. Beyond division to unity. Beyond politics for power to politics for people.

“RUN is not designed as a movement of spectators. It is a movement of participants. A movement for young Nigerians. A movement for professionals, entrepreneurs, women, artisans, students, workers, creatives, community leaders, and every citizen who believes that competence, accountability, inclusion, and patriotism must define the future of this country.

“We are building a movement rooted in ideas, discipline, service, integrity, and active citizenship.”