By Peter Omopo
A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified efforts to broaden its political base ahead of the 2027 general election, calling on former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and other prominent political leaders to join the party.
The appeal followed the inauguration of the party’s North-East Zonal Congress Committee, an exercise the ADC said signalled a renewed push to strengthen its internal structures, promote internal democracy and reposition the party for national leadership.
The factional National Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Gombe, disclosed this in a communiqué issued on Tuesday after the inauguration ceremony held in Gombe State on January 11. The event, organised by the party’s national leadership, was presided over by Dr Muhammad Muhammad.
According to the communiqué, the inauguration marked a critical step towards consolidating the party’s presence in the North-East and ensuring transparent and credible congresses across the zone. The party ratified and inaugurated officials to oversee the zonal congress process, appointing Mrs Patience Alex as Chairperson of the North-East Zonal Congress Committee and Mr Abayomi Adekunle as Chairman of the Zonal Appeal Committee.
Gombe said the development reflected the ADC’s resolve to deepen internal democracy and build a credible political platform capable of attracting Nigerians across party lines.
He also used the occasion to directly appeal to serving governors, elder statesmen and national leaders to align with the ADC as it seeks to emerge as an alternative force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“The authentic national leadership of the ADC passionately appeals to and invites eminent personalities to join the party in its mission to rebuild and reposition Nigeria,” Gombe said.
Those invited include Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed; Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former President Goodluck Jonathan; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; Abia State Governor Alex Otti; and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The party said it believes the experience, leadership and patriotism of the invited figures are crucial to uniting efforts aimed at national renewal.
The ADC reiterated its commitment to providing what it described as a credible, inclusive and progressive platform focused on good governance, national unity and sustainable development. It added that it would continue mobilising Nigerians across all regions in support of a new political direction anchored on accountability and equity.
The move comes amid renewed political realignments, barely two weeks after the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, defected to the David Mark-led ADC, further fuelling speculation about emerging alliances ahead of the 2027 polls.
