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ADC’s Problem Is ADC — Not APC, Says Azu Ishiekwene
ADC’s Problem Is ADC — Not APC, Says Azu Ishiekwene
ADC’s problem is ADC — not APC, says Azu Ishiekwene. This is the last thing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) wants to hear, but it has to be said, even if the party digs its thumbs in its ear. It began with the party’s delayed registration.
When things were not moving as quickly as the early defectors, mostly from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had expected, they accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of stalling the registration and of using the Ralph Okey Nwosu-led faction to stoke the delay.
The party was eventually registered in June. But that didn’t end the beef. As the PDP crumbled and many of its members, especially the governors, defected, the ADC accused the APC of coaxing, bribing or blackmailing them to turn Nigeria into a de facto one-party state.
That was after their failed argument that whether all the governors in Nigeria defected to the APC or not, it would still not save the ruling party from a damning voter’s verdict next year because of its poor record.
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The latest argument is that the APC is about to use the playbook it used to destabilise the Labour Party and the PDP against ADC: plant a leader to weaken it, break it up, and factionalise it.
A statement by the party on Monday accused the ruling party of planning to use the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise an expelled member of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe, as the ADC national chairman.
Why? “To ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges unopposed as the only serious candidate on the ballot in 2027.”
I don’t know what other conspiracy the ADC might find before the next market day, but I think the party is its own biggest problem. If it continues this way, before the APC kills it, it will be long dead, and on its grave would be the epitaph: here lies the remains of a party that thought it would get power à la carte!
How not to take power
Power is not given. It is taken, even seized, through planning, organisation, and action. The ADC was not formed to last, the way you build a house from the ground up, brick by brick, patiently working every stage, and following a pattern. It’s mainly a coalition of the aggrieved, desperate for power, after some of the principal actors in the ADC damaged and abandoned the PDP.
We know more about the presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi than we know about what the party really stands for.
Recently in Benin, Edo State, there was a spat between Odigie Oyegun and Rowland Owie, both octogenarian political stalwarts-turned-ADC, over whether the South-South should back Amaechi or Atiku, with Obi’s supporters smarting in the corner. There’s more being said and done to secure the presidential ticket for any of the three than we know about efforts to build the party. In what has become a crude reversal of the core principle of the political party as an institution, parties have become disposable paper wraps, and defection a con art.
An inconvenient history
The fate of political parties in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic tells a concerning story.
Between 1999 and 2015, when the PDP was at its peak, the party still managed to share the political spoils in a manner that gave democracy a future and a promise. President Olusegun Obasanjo had won the presidential election with 62.78 percent of the vote, an absolute majority that knocked out Olu Falae, his challenger, who was the consensus candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
The PDP controlled 21 of 36 states, while the APP and AD controlled 9 and 6 states, respectively. PDP also secured 59 of the 109 senatorial seats and 206 of the 360 House of Representatives seats back then. It must therefore be a wonder to political historians that in less than 27 years of being such a formidable organisation, the PDP has become difficult to find, even if only to be mummified as a carcass.
The question, What happened, finds a lazy but convenient answer in blaming Tinubu, even though the worm eating up the opposition is inside the opposition.
After the 2023 general elections, the PDP – the wreckage from which many ADC members emerged – had won 10 governorship seats: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Delta, Enugu, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara, with the 11th being Bayelsa in the off-cycle elections. These were enough to give the party a fighting chance, if its leaders were serious.
The three main legacy parties of the APC (ACN, CPC, and ANPP), which defeated the PDP in 2015 with a helping hand from PDP defector-governors, controlled only 11 states. In fact, after the 2003 election, Lagos was the only AD state in the South West, the other five consumed by the PDP.
At the last count, however, the PDP had lost its former traditional strongholds in the South-south, South-east, and North-central to a gale of defections. Governors with one eye on re-election and others seeking the lucrative retirement to the Senate have almost entirely bailed out from the PDP like paratroopers from a falling aircraft.
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In a cruel reversal of fate, the party is the victim of the bad example it set in political brinkmanship, where there are no consequences for defectors who join or leave the party, taking their seats with them. Of the 11 governors as of May 2023, only two – Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo – remain in the PDP faction.
ADC’s Problem Is ADC
Mohammed, who had made a spirited effort to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race, watched his dream collapse while the party unravelled under a maze of litigations, defections and turf wars. And rumour has it that Bala is on the verge of leaving whatever may be left of the PDP’s umbrella with Makinde any time soon.
Watching the optics
The optics across Nigeria point broadly at a singular outcome in next year’s general elections – a victory lap for the ruling APC. Not because of a sterling record of performance, but because the opposition, especially the ADC, has paved the way by making itself not an alternative platform for change, but a place where a few desperate politicians lock horns for power.
I laugh whenever the ADC calls itself an opposition party. It is almost an opposition. You will be shocked to learn that a leading ADC figure is willingly prostituting himself to the APC top hierarchy to secure his endangered business interests.
Verdict of history
In the end, the biggest opposition to the APC will be the APC. That’s the lesson of history. From Britain’s Conservative Party to the Indian National Congress, and from the African National Congress to the remnant of Nigeria’s PDP (which would soon adopt Tinubu as its candidate), history shows that ruling parties eventually decay and decline from within.
A combination of complacency, internal fragmentation, and failure to adapt to new demographics, or corruption and loss of moral authority, eventually catches up with and overwhelms them.
The APC’s case will not be different, not because of the noise being made by the ADC, but despite it.
Ishiekwene is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the book, Writing for Media and Monetising It.
ADC Releases Updated Primary Election Schedule, Revised Nomination Fees
ADC releases updated primary election schedule and revised nomination fees — Announces new dates and adjusted fees following stakeholder consultations
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released an updated schedule of activities for its 2026 primary elections, alongside revised costs for nomination forms, following extensive consultations with party leaders, aspirants, and stakeholders across the country.
Under the updated timetable, the purchase and submission of completed forms will run from May 6 to May 13, 2026, with May 13 set as the final deadline for submission. Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 14 and May 15, 2026, with the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, while the final list of cleared aspirants will be published on May 20, 2026.
Primary elections for State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate will be held on May 21, 2026, followed by governorship primaries on May 22, 2026. The presidential primary election is scheduled for May 23, 2026. This will be followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 25, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 26, 2026.
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Additionally, following the review, the cost of nomination forms has been set at N90,000,000 for the presidential ticket, N30,000,000 for governorship, N10,000,000 for Senate, N5,000,000 for the House of Representatives, and N2,000,000 for State Houses of Assembly.
The party retains its concessionary framework, providing a 50 percent discount for youth aspirants between the ages of 18 and 35, and a 25 percent discount for women and persons living with disabilities.
ADC
These adjustments reflect the outcome of broad-based consultations aimed at strengthening internal democracy, improving access, and ensuring that the ADC continues to provide a credible and inclusive platform for political participation.
All aspirants and stakeholders are advised to take note of the updated schedule and revised fees, and to comply fully with all guidelines as published. The ADC remains committed to organising effectively and presenting credible candidates to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Signed,
MALLAM BOLAJI ABDULLAHI
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
ICPC Opposes Fresh Bail Application By El-Rufai As Court Adjourns Hearing To May 13
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a counter-affidavit in opposition to a fresh bail application filed by the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, counsel to the defendant, Mr Ubong Akpang, informed the court of a pending bail application, emphasising that it concerns the defendant’s liberty.
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He further stated that all necessary processes had been duly filed and served, expressing readiness to proceed with the hearing.
However, counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Ibrahim Mukhtar, informed the court that he had only just been served with the defendant’s further affidavit in support of the bail application and would require time to study the new processes.
Following this development, the Honourable Court adjourned the matter to 13th May 2026 for the hearing of the bail application.
It would be recalled that the court had earlier declined to grant bail to Mallam El-Rufai in a previous application.
Honourable Justice D.H. Khobo held that the defendant had not filed a further affidavit to challenge the ICPC’s counter-affidavit, which raised new facts.
These facts included the likelihood of flight risk due to his influence and resources, alleged obstruction of lawful arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, refusal to surrender travel documents and devices for investigation, and concerns over potential interference with witnesses and evidence.
In its determination, the court emphasised that bail is discretionary and must serve the interests of justice.
Justice Khobo held that the Defendant’s high status could facilitate interference with ongoing investigations, especially as some suspects remain at large.
The court had further noted the Defendant’s failure to challenge key allegations in the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, thereby deeming them admitted, and had dismissed unsubstantiated health claims for lack of evidence.
Consequently, the court refused bail to the Defendant; he is to remain in ICPC custody pending the commencement of the trial, and ordered an accelerated hearing.
El-Rufai
Notwithstanding this, the defence team proceeded to file a fresh application for bail.
The ICPC has since filed its response opposing the latest bail application and remains committed to ensuring that justice is served in accordance with the law.
The Commission assures the public of its continued dedication to the diligent prosecution of corruption cases and the upholding of due process.
J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications Unit (ICPC).
NANS Applauds Olukoyede, Honours him with Outstanding Leadership Award
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede for the successes being recorded in the fight economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.
The Association gave this commendation in Abuja on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 when its leaders came on a courtesy visit to the EFCC boss at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and NANS’ Secretary General, Shedrack Anzaku, declared that NANS “sees a man of integrity, stellar performance and impeccable character, whom the students wish to emulate in Olukoyede” and as a result honoured him with a National Outstanding Leadership Award.
“On behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, we present a National Outstanding Leadership award to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede as a proof of good leadership and epitome of hope and in recognition of your commitment to youth empowerment, your passion to humanity and also educational transformation and your contribution towards the improvement of the lives of downtrodden” he said.
Speaking further, he stated that the direction of NANS going forward is to be partners in progress with the EFCC in the area of the fight against cybercrime among students. “What we want to do from now is to partner with the EFCC at the level of fighting social vices by calling the Commission’s attention to students who are doing any form of internet fraud. So we want to be partners in progress. When we see something, we will say something,” he said.
While lending his voice, Comrade James Uneze, Director of Special Duties in the office of NANS Secretary General stated that “We cannot talk about development in Nigeria in area of accountability and financial freedom; in the area of fighting financial and economic crime; in the area of leadership effectiveness and vibrance to the task to serve humanity for equity and justice, charity to the underprivileged and open door policy to all Nigerians irrespective of where they come from or the faith they profess without mentioning the name, Ola Olukoyede.”
Further in his remarks, Uneze said that the leadership of NANS partly came to congratulate the EFCC boss on his “successful service delivery, aimed at emancipating Nigerians from the shackles of poverty, oppression and deprivations as keen observers of your outstanding track record and achievements in the area of ensuring that we live in a corruption-free society and quest for positive national development,” adding that “We will always support the EFCC. We will always report every form of crime to ensure that the EFCC achieves its mandate which is for the development of Nigeria and emancipation of the masses.”
While declaring that Nigerian students desire to be EFCC ambassadors, Uneze noted that “the EFCC has played a very critical role in ensuring accountability, effectiveness and governance in all sectors of our nation,” declaring that “Nigerian students stand against every kind of corruption and every kind of fraud. Be it on the campus or in society.”
Olukoyede in his response, conveyed by the Director, Public Affairs, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren, expressed delight at the visit and at the efforts of the students’ national union at fighting internet fraud in the campuses. He urged them not to relent on the path of what is good and ethical, knowing that the country belongs to them as future leaders.
“I am glad to find that you have indicated that you are doing a lot of work in terms of instilling ethical behaviours among your members in all the campuses. What you are doing aligns with the mandate of the Commission, which is to fight all forms of corruption in any manifestation at all across all sectors. So, we welcome that. What we have with students’ organizations across the country is partnership. We have an all-year round programme of establishing clubs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the nation because we know that the future of this country belongs to the youth,” he said.
The EFCC boss stressed that the efforts of the EFCC and the results they yield are entirely for the good of the country and urged the students to support the Commission in eradicating cybercrime, especially in the campuses.
“The sacrifice that we are making in this country is for you. That we are going about endangering our safety and lives to fight corruption is because we want a future that Nigerians who are young now will benefit from. The recoveries that we are making are not for our pockets. The money that we recover is being ploughed back into the economy to ensure that we have good infrastructure and good social services.”
EFCC Boss
While pointing out that the EFCC is a friend of Nigerian youths and students, he regretted the allure of cybercrime to the youth, noting that the EFCC and all well-meaning Nigerians have a responsibility to fight it for the sake of the country and its citizens. “We can’t run away from the fact that we have a problem in terms of cybercrime in Nigeria. All of us admit the fact that a lot of young people are involved in cybercrime and it is our responsibility both as EFCC and as Nigerian citizens to ensure that we fight cybercrime in our nation. Because whether we like it or not, that challenge is giving this country a bad reputation across the world,” he said.
He charged Nigerian students as critical stakeholders in the making of a new Nigeria to put in more work in the campuses against cybercrime.
“You are key stakeholders in the fight against corruption. As citizens and as students who are the future leaders of this country, I’m charging you people to continue to spread the anti-cybercrime message across the campuses because it is for your own good and interest. The country that you want to have as Nigerians, if you don’t make sacrifices now as students to have it, you will not have that country. All of us must come together to say no to corruption, no to financial crime and to ensure that Nigeria wins this war against economic and financial crime. So, I urge you not to relent, don’t be distracted; continue to walk side by side with us. Continue to support the activities of the EFCC because we are here for you.”
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