The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, has declared that the party has a record-breaking target of 35 million votes in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the opening of a national summit and party leadership meeting in Abuja, Nwosu described the gathering as a critical turning point for the party and the country.
He emphasised that while the political climate in Nigeria is tense, ADC remains committed to reshaping the narrative through grassroots mobilisation, unity, and patriotism.
“The country seems to be shaking. Many in the polity are scared of what ADC is doing. But I know we are ready. This may be my last NEC meeting, and I’m ready to make every sacrifice for Nigeria,” he said.
Nwosu hailed the efforts of the party’s Kogi chapter, describing it as ADC’s strongest state and applauding the achievements of Kingsley Oga, a top ADC figure in the state, for consistently delivering House of Reps and Assembly seats in previous elections.
He said the ADC is mobilising its members, civil society organisations, youth groups, and farmers across the country to deliver 35 million votes in the next general elections.
“For the first time, we will deliver a president with over 30 million votes. Our national youth team has assured me. Civil society groups that joined us only six months ago now have over 5 million members. Together, we will make history,” he stated.
The party, according to Nwosu, is organizing a nationwide campaign tagged Handshake Across Nigeria, set to kick off on October 1.
“At exactly 12 noon on Independence Day, Nigerians everywhere will shake hands in unity and love. It’s time to rescue this nation,” he said.
He also criticised the federal government for neglecting youth-focused investments such as sports and entrepreneurship, while allocating billions to “irrelevant projects” and legislative luxuries.
“Imagine a government that says it cannot fund the Olympics but can spend over N100 billion to furnish the National Assembly. It’s a shame that the country’s most productive demographic is being ignored,” he said.
In his opening remarks, the national secretary of ADC, Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi, highlighted the party’s over two decades of democratic consistency and internal unity, stressing the need for the summit to galvanize strategic political action.
“We have what it takes to make this country great. Through this summit, we will sharpen our strategies and mobilize citizens, NGOs, and the diaspora towards national rebirth,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Jawa, a renowned traditional medicine scholar and founder of MITCH Open University, Damaturu, echoed the party’s call for unity and visionary leadership.
“We must unite under purposeful leadership and never allow vacuum or division to sabotage our progress. Every member must think like a chairman. That’s how we’ll build a formidable movement,” he said.
He praised the ADC’s bold target of 35 million votes, calling it a refreshing break from traditional vote expectations.
“While others are wailing over 9 million, ADC is aiming higher. That’s how politics should be,” he said.
The summit, which continues with a NEC meeting on Thursday, drew ADC executives, state chairmen, civil society leaders, and political stakeholders from across the country.