The African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday said it would cease serving as a special purpose vehicle for politicians.
ADC national chairman Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, who addressed the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, noted that it will no longer be used and dumped by politicians.
In Nigeria’s political parlance, a special purpose vehicle refers to an alternative political party which politicians use to contest elections after they lose out or dump their original party.
Nwosu, who decried the lack of political ideology by Nigerian politicians, however, disclosed that through the intervention of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it has been able to resolve its differences and unite members under one political platform.
Nwosu noted that by 2027, ADC would have participated in Nigeria’s electoral process for a period of 20 years.
“After 20 years, we must get it right. If I offended you, this is the time to forgive and we must make progress.
“We must forge big alliances like the one we are forging with PRP. I want us to come with the heart of love. By 2025, our party will become the number one party in Nigeria,” he boasted.
ADC, founded in 2006, has fielded presidential candidates since 2007. But the candidates always dump the party after the elections.
The recent 2023 election followed the same pattern, leading to a polarised party.
Nwosu however said the party has begun a rebuilding process and has lifted the ban placed on some members.
According to him, the NEC meeting heralded a new beginning, especially at the period of Christmas which is a time to show love to one another.
He stated that Nigeria needs to start evolving institutions that can stand the test of time, adding that with INEC’s ADR, peace has returned to ADC.
“Why do we elect few members in elective positions? Why can’t we have the majority in the house?” he asked.
Nwosu envisaged ADC becoming a number one political party in the country, and “some of us will end up working in the villa; some of you will be elected into offices. When we do this, the sky will be your limit.”
Officials of INEC were also at the meeting on verification exercise.