The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Niger State has urged its members to close ranks and prioritise unity, insisting that internal cohesion will be key to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The call was made by former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Abdulrahman Gimba, who hosted newly elected ADC executives at a dinner in Minna, the state capital.
Gimba, a leading figure in the party in Niger State, told members that personal ambitions must be set aside in favour of collective party-building if the ADC hopes to make meaningful political gains.
He claimed that the ruling APC was already making deliberate efforts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly targeting the ADC due to what he described as its growing popularity.
According to him, such efforts would ultimately fail, stressing that Nigerians themselves would determine the outcome of future elections.
Gimba expressed confidence that the ADC could form government at all levels if it maintained discipline, unity, and strict adherence to democratic principles.
He also advised the party to focus on credible internal processes, warning against imposition of candidates and urging members to ensure that only popular and capable individuals emerge during primaries.
“The selection of the right candidates will make the work easier for the party,” he said, emphasising that leadership quality would be central to electoral success.
He further called on the ADC to remain committed to constitutional democracy and active citizen engagement, while insisting that the party must operate strictly within the rules of the electoral system.
Also speaking at the event, Niger State ADC Chairman Abdulhamid El-Waziri criticised the administration of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, accusing it of poor management of state resources.
El-Waziri alleged that despite significant federal allocations, the state government had not commissioned any major project in the last three years.
He described the APC-led administration in Niger State as ineffective, claiming it had failed to address poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship affecting residents.
El-Waziri insisted that the ADC remained confident of taking over governance in the state, arguing that voters were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the current administration.
The APC has not yet responded to the latest allegations as political tensions continue to build ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
