The coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged Nigerians not to measure its strength by its failure to secure a seat in last month’s by-elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, explained that the contests came too soon after ADC’s leadership transition and should not be seen as a true test of its potential.
The by-elections, held on August 16 to fill vacancies created by deaths and resignations after the 2023 polls, produced no wins for the ADC. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of 12 of the 16 seats, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winning two in Anambra, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) one in Oyo, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) one in Kano.
Responding to ADC’s poor outing, Abdullahi said the party was not electorally ready.
“The election happened less than a month after we came into the party. Most of the candidates, we didn’t even know them. That’s why we said we cannot judge the ADC by that,” he said.
He stressed that the by-elections came too early in the party’s transition process, adding that the ADC would be better prepared for future contests.
Abdullahi spoke following INEC’s recognition of the David Mark-led leadership of the party, which also includes Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
With this formal endorsement, the ADC is set to embark on nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections. Abdullahi said the party’s focus is on building a broad-based movement rather than chasing short-term wins.
“We want Nigerians to get to 2027 and ask themselves: has this ruling party improved our lives or made them worse? We want to be the viable alternative when people want a change,” he added.
The ADC had earlier attributed its poor performance in the polls to violence, vote buying, ballot snatching, voter intimidation, and alleged failures of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)—claims the APC has denied.
