- Abdullahi said ADC aims to entrench internal democracy, equity, and discipline through a party structure built on shared values.
- He described Dumebi Kachikwu’s criticism as a reaction to exclusion, not based on ideology or any real alternative vision.
The former minister of sports and interim spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has said the opposition coalition adopted ADC to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.
He stated this on Wednesday while speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
Abdullahi said President Bola Tinubu’s “renewed hope agenda” had collapsed, citing worsening hardship, insecurity, and lack of accountability.
“In two years, hope has become hopelessness. You know? I mean, look at the parameters. Look at the parameters,” he said.
“People are dying every day in this country — people are leaving their homes and being shot. And the government is doing nothing, acting like it is Christmas.”
He said the opposition coalition is not desperate for power but is committed to building a values-based political party with discipline and internal democracy.
“We say we want to try to give Nigeria, one, an alternative. God forbid we arrive at 2027 and there’s no alternative. That is one,” he said.
“Maybe you want to be cynical and say we’re trying to atone. That’s fine.
“But what we are doing is to create a party where everyone is equal, where the members are supreme.”
He said the ADC is being positioned as a values-driven platform that will endure beyond its current members.
Abdullahi responded to criticism by Dumebi Kachikwu, former ADC presidential candidate, who claimed the coalition “entered through the back door” and would soon leave.
He described Kachikwu’s comment as rooted in exclusion, not ideology.
“I tried to Google him and couldn’t find anything beyond the fact that he once ran for office,” he said.
“I’m only six months older than him, yet he’s positioning himself as a youth voice.”
Abdullahi said the coalition comprises professionals and credible Nigerians with track records in public service.
He rejected the idea that Nigeria must abandon the political class to find quality leadership.
“Politics is played by politicians, not by farmers or bankers. If those in the past failed, do we go to Ghana or South Africa to import politicians?” he asked.
He said Nigeria’s problem is the absence of accountability systems, not politics itself.
Abdullahi added that the ADC under the new coalition is being restructured to restore order and discipline in governance.
“Our handshake logo represents agreement, mutual respect. We are building a party where rules matter and everyone plays by them,” he said.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that the interim national chairman of ADC, David Mark, said the opposition coalition would prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state.