On Thursday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) hosted the ADC Democracy Summit Kaduna 2024, gathering a coalition of eight opposition parties to strategize for the 2027 general election.
The summit aimed to strengthen party infrastructures and address the pressing issues facing Nigeria.
The summit saw participation from prominent political figures across various parties, including the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), KOWA, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). The primary focus was on grassroots mobilization and enhancing political awareness among citizens.
Lawal Nalado, who chaired the summit, emphasized the urgent need to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and promote informed decision-making before the elections. Nalado criticized the current administration for exacerbating national challenges rather than mitigating them and dispelled rumors of potential mergers among the opposition parties.
Falalu Bello, National Chairman of PRP, highlighted the importance of effective voter mobilization and selecting credible candidates. He pointed out resource constraints, lack of internal democracy, and interference by the ruling party as significant obstacles facing opposition groups.
IPAC National Chairman stressed the necessity of accountability and transparency, advocating for diverse methods to hold the government accountable. He underscored the opposition parties’ role in ensuring governmental responsibility and delivering democratic dividends.
KOWA Party National Chairman and CUPP Spokesman urged opposition parties to actively spotlight government shortcomings and play a vocal role in governance.
Ahmed Tujjani, chairman of ADC and IPAC Kaduna State, clarified that the summit aimed to address socioeconomic and political challenges while offering practical solutions. He emphasized the importance of early engagement and citizen involvement in the electoral process. Tujjani reiterated that the summit was not focused on forming mergers or coalitions but rather on fostering dialogue and collaboration among opposition parties to effectively address common issues.
News24 Nigeria reports that the ADC Democracy Summit in Kaduna represents a concerted effort by Nigeria’s opposition parties to unite and strategize ahead of the 2027 general election. By focusing on grassroots mobilization, political awareness, and effective voter engagement, the coalition aims to present a robust challenge to the ruling APC and address the nation’s pressing concerns.