The founding National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has declared that the 2027 general elections cannot be conducted by President Bola Tinubu and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, if the ADC is not included on the ballot.
Nwosu made the assertion on Wednesday in Abuja at the party’s national secretariat during the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit, organised by the office of the National Youth Leader.
He said the opposition party had already secured the numbers and political backing required to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, adding that ongoing coalition efforts had significantly strengthened the ADC.
According to him, the coalition has produced notable gains for the party, revealing that as of Tuesday evening, discussions were still ongoing with some serving senators from the ruling All Progressives Congress and other political parties about defecting to the ADC.
Nwosu insisted that the coalition’s takeover of the party followed due process, dismissing allegations of wrongdoing and blaming internal challenges on what he described as entrenched political impunity in the country.
He said, “The culture in place is dirty. It’s very difficult to change the culture, but we will continue working very hard to do so once we are determined. You don’t need a million people to do it; you just need a few determined minds.
“With the number we have today in ADC, what we have achieved by the coalition is phenomenal, and no matter how anybody thinks they can knock this down, they cannot.
To knock this down will be almost like knocking our democracy down, and God will not allow that. We have put enough strategies in place to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
“But what you may hear happening and see happening now is that when people in power, especially in third world countries, people who love impunity and feel that they can play God, are in power, they would try everything, especially when it’s clear to them that their time is over.
The time is over for Tinubu politically, and he must go. The time is over for Akpabio (Senate President), and they must go.”
He further claimed that the ADC already has about five million registered members and projected that membership could rise to 11 million as registration continues, with members contributing financially to the party.
“The statistics are already there on our portal. I think we’re already recording over 5 million people who are desirous of paying money to become members of ADC. By the time the registration closes, if it has not closed by today, we will have a minimum of 11 million people who are ready to contribute money.
“Despite the challenges the government in place is deliberately throwing at us, yesterday, some senators decided they are joining the ADC.
All I know is that Tinubu and Amupitan (INEC Chairman) cannot conduct any election in this country if ADC is not on the ballot.”
Earlier in his remarks, ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, insisted that the party’s 35 per cent affirmative action for youths and women must be fully implemented beyond rhetoric.
He stressed that the current leadership under Senator David Mark must not promote inclusion while excluding young people from key political positions.
He said, “As we approach our party primaries, let it be stated without hesitation or ambiguity. The Constitution of the African Democratic Congress has already settled the question of inclusion and its provisions are sacrosanct and non-negotiable.
“The Youth Constituency is not begging for space. We are asserting our constitutional rights. By the binding authority of our party constitution, twelve governorship tickets are reserved for the Youth Constituency. At least one Senate ticket in every state belongs to the youth.
10–15 State Houses of Assembly slots per state are designated for young people. These are not promises, they are not political conveniences, they are enforceable commitments.”
Rufai urged full adherence to the party constitution and called for stronger youth participation structures ahead of elections.
He added, “Assert your place because when the youth take their rightful position, the party becomes stronger.
And when the youth lead, victory becomes inevitable. It is on this basis that we must empower those who are ready to lead, regardless of age, but with full recognition that the youth are prepared, qualified, and determined.
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“To further institutionalise transparency, credibility, and strategic coordination within the ranks of the party, the Youth Wing will immediately establish three critical structures: Youth Aspirants Screening Committee, to ensure only credible, competent, and prepared youth candidates emerge.
“Youth Opinion Poll Committee, to scientifically gauge grassroots support and guide strategic decisions.
Youth Leaders Advisory Committee on INEC and Litigations, to strengthen compliance, electoral preparedness, and the legal defence of our country as mandates. The Youth Leaders Advisory Committee on INEC and Litigations will work in close collaboration with party leadership.
“As institutional independence erodes, we will confront impunity, uphold justice, and reinforce credible opposition, because no democracy survives without a vigilant, principled opposition.”
In her goodwill message, former Special Assistant on Digital and Social Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, said young people had long been relegated to supportive political roles rather than decision-making positions.
She noted that the ADC’s 20 per cent affirmative action represented a correction to past exclusion and a restructuring of political participation.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced the removal of key ADC officials, including National Chairman Senator David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, from its official register, citing compliance with a court order to maintain the status quo pending final judgment.
The party has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis following the emergence of a new National Working Committee under Mark in July.
The dispute stemmed from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, who transferred some leadership roles to a coalition led by Mark, while his deputy, Nafiu Gombe, challenged the arrangement and claimed acting leadership rights.
The rift escalated into factional struggles and multiple court cases at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, raising concerns over the party’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
Senator David Mark had earlier appealed for calm, assuring members that party activities would continue as scheduled, while the Supreme Court on April 22 reserved judgment after concluding hearings on the leadership dispute.