ADC inaugurates presidential campaign council, vows to rescue Nigeria

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with party leaders pledging to present Nigerians with an alternative to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The inauguration was performed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, on Friday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Mark described the ceremony as the formal activation of the party’s campaign machinery, charging members of the council to work towards mobilising Nigerians and securing victory for the party in the forthcoming presidential election.

He said the assignment went beyond winning an election, urging the council to present a credible alternative capable of restoring public confidence in governance.

“This is a council for dedicated hard-work. You have been appointed to serve, mobilise and to deliver,” Mark said.

According to him, Nigeria is at a critical crossroads, with citizens seeking leadership that understands their challenges, respects their dignity and is committed to improving their living conditions.

“Our task is therefore bigger than winning an election. Our task is to present Nigerians with a credible alternative and give them reason to believe and trust that essence of governance is to protect them and make their lives better,” he said.

Mark tasks council on grassroots mobilisation

The ADC chairman urged members of the campaign council to reach every state, local government area, ward and community, stressing that no section of the country should be taken for granted.

He called on the council to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, workers, farmers, professionals, traders, artisans, students and persons living with disabilities.

Mark also urged members to listen to Nigerians and respond to their concerns, insisting that the campaign should be driven by issues affecting households and communities rather than political rhetoric.

“Do not take any community for granted. Earn confidence of people. Let nobody say that ADC did not come to them. Let nobody say that we did not listen,” he said.

He identified the high cost of living, poverty, insecurity, unemployment, food prices, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inflation, good governance and the future of young people as key issues the campaign should address.

Mark said Nigerians were already familiar with their challenges and expected politicians to explain how they intended to resolve them.

He added that the ADC presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi represented experience, capacity and national reach, but maintained that the ultimate objective should be the progress of Nigeria.

The former Senate President urged the candidates to communicate with Nigerians respectfully, listen to their concerns and campaign on competence, integrity, inclusion and national unity.

He also warned against violence, hate speech and politics of revenge, urging party members to remain peaceful even when confronted with insults or attacks during the campaign.

Mark said the party expected the Independent National Electoral Commission and other institutions responsible for conducting elections to remain impartial, transparent and professional.

He insisted that every eligible Nigerian must be able to vote freely, safely and without intimidation, adding that the ADC would compete within the confines of the law.

ADC campaign chairman declares ‘rescue mission’

The Chairman of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, described the 2027 election as a mission to rescue Nigeria from its current economic and security challenges.

He said the council was not established to distribute political titles but to begin a nationwide effort to mobilise Nigerians for a change of government.

“Let no one mistake this gathering for a ceremony. We have not come here to collect titles. We have come here to begin a rescue,” Ibrahim-Imam said.

He urged Nigerians dissatisfied with the state of the country to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process.

The campaign chairman called on council members to take the party’s message to streets, markets, motor parks, villages, churches and mosques, insisting that victory would depend on effective grassroots mobilisation.

He also commended the party’s leadership and paid tribute to the deputy chairman of the campaign council, Nasir El-Rufai, saying his spirit and ideology remained with the team.

Ibrahim-Imam urged members to put aside factional disputes and personal rivalries, stressing that the campaign required unity, discipline and a shared commitment to the party’s objectives.

He said the outcome of the election would depend largely on activities at polling units, where party agents and supporters would need to protect the votes cast for their candidates.

Council raises concerns over economy, insecurity

In his address, Ibrahim-Imam criticised the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, citing rising food prices, public debt, insecurity and poverty as major concerns facing Nigerians.

He said Nigeria’s public debt rose from N87.38tn at the beginning of the current administration to N166.79tn as of June 30, 2026, citing figures attributed to the Debt Management Office.

He also criticised the increase in petrol prices following the removal of the fuel subsidy, saying the development had contributed to higher transportation costs and increased prices of food and other essential goods.

The ADC campaign chairman questioned some government spending decisions, arguing that the administration should give greater priority to the economic difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.

He further cited concerns expressed by religious leaders over insecurity, economic policies and the migration of professionals from the country.

Ibrahim-Imam contrasted the current economic situation with Nigeria’s performance between 1999 and 2007, when he said the economy expanded significantly and the country’s foreign reserves increased.

He attributed the growth during that period partly to the economic policies pursued under the administration in which Atiku Abubakar served as vice-president and chairman of the National Economic Council.

According to him, Nigeria’s economy grew from $58bn to $270bn between 1999 and 2007, while foreign reserves rose from $3.7bn to $45bn.

He described Atiku and Amaechi as experienced politicians with the capacity to lead the country, urging Nigerians to consider the ADC ticket as an option in the 2027 election.

Atiku, Amaechi lead ADC campaign team

The inauguration was attended by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi; Ibrahim-Imam; El-Rufai; and the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Austin Akobundu.

Ibrahim-Imam urged eligible voters to collect their voter cards, participate peacefully in the election and remain vigilant during the collation and announcement of results.

He called on supporters to vote on January 16, 2027, and remain engaged until their votes were counted and the results announced.

The campaign chairman assured the party leadership that council members had accepted the responsibility placed on them and would work towards delivering on their mandate.