As defections, movements and political alignments continue to punctuate Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027 elections, some political parties in Akwa Ibom State have taken their turn, by emptying themselves into the newly registered coalition political party, African Democratic Congress ( ADC).
In an official unveiling and inaugural stakeholders meeting of the coalition in Uyo at the weekend, the political parties, Young Progressives Party( YPP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and others said they were no longer on their own as individual parties, but part of the big family of ADC Coalition in the state.
Speaking at the event, the former governorship candidate of the NNPP in 2023 elections in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, explained that the coalition became a reality owing to the determination of a few Nigerians who decided to come together for the sake of other suffering Nigerians.
He said although these were individuals who had varying political ideologies, they present situation in the country had occasioned the unification of all interests to remove the current government he described as insensitive, and had organised itself to against the Nigerian people.
” I want to tell you that Nigerians from different political parties came together for the sake of the Nigerian people. Therefore, we, with different ideologies; we who were enemies before, have come together to do coalition; to remove this insensitive government that has organised itself against Nigerians”.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory therefore, appealed to all Akwa Ibom people to embrace the coalition at all levels, as it was poised to take Nigeria back and give to Nigerians.
Speaking earlier, the State Chairman of ADC Coalition, Rt. Hon. Duke Dike, said the inauguration of the party was to send a message that Nigeria’s democracy must be reclaimed and re-anchored on the will of the people.
He added that the existence of the coalition was to build a movement of inclusion, transparency and accountability, and therefore, urged all to embrace the light to ensure that these dreams come true.
” We are not here to play the same old politics of empty promises, money-bags and godfathers. We are here to build a movement of inclusion, transparency and accountability. Our vision is simple, yet profound: a Nigeria and Akwa Ibom where democracy is not a game of the rich, but a right and responsibility of every citizen”.
The ADC State Chairman however lamented that for long, Nigeria had struggled under a kind of politics that only serves the interest of a very few Nigerians, leaving majority of the people to continue in suffering, hardship and lack; the very essence of the coming of the coalition.
While affirming the march of all Labour Party members and Obidient movement in the state to the coalition, the governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Uduak Udoh, said they were doing so, not only for the love of the ideology of the coalition, but also to save Nigerians from more hardship.
Mr. Udoh therefore, called on Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians to rise up to the occasion and fight the common enemy that had impoverished the nation, by joining to hands enthrone ADC across the length and breadth of the country.
Other leaders, including the National Vice Chairman of the party, Mr. Augustine Ekanem, Assistant National Organising Secretary, Dr. Ben Smith, former State Chairman of YPP, Eld. Wisdom Udoka, governorship candidate of AA in the 2023 general election, Prince Jeremiah Akpan, said they all decided to join the coalition, with their members and teeming supporters, owing to its ideology and the coming together of like- minds to turn around things in the governance of the country.
There were also representatives of the women and youths in the state who spoke in support of the coalition, as well as pledging the commitment of the women and youth to the cause of the party.
Highpoint of the unveiling was the hosting of the ADC’s flag, signifying the official entry of the party into the state, and commencement of activities across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
