The Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Don Norman Obinna, has called on Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party to quickly join the new coalition of political parties being formed in the country. He stated that the ADC has officially been adopted as the platform for the coalition.
He made this known at a weekend meeting in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, tagged the “ADC Convergence of Coalition Partners,” themed “Strengthening
Alliances for a Better Nigeria,” where he served as the Chief Convener.
The banner listed Senator for Abia Central, Chief Austin Akobundu of the PDP, as Chairman, with Professors Uzoma Emmanuel and Max Nduaguibe, and Chief
Chinkwe Udensi as speakers.
Don Norman also revealed that the adoption of the ADC as the coalition’s platform will be formalized soon, following decisions taken by the aligning political parties at their Abuja meeting. He noted that many prominent opposition leaders were in attendance, including Abubakar Atiku, Nasir El-Rufai,
Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi, among others.
He predicted that if Governor Otti refuses the call to join the coalition, it would democratically remove him in the 2027 elections.
The meeting was attended by top political figures, civil society leaders, youths, and reform-minded thinkers united by a common goal: building a unified front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Don Norman emphasized that the coalition is not merely about political realignment, but a response to years of governance failure, economic mismanagement, and citizen disenfranchisement at both state and federal levels.
He stated, “The ADC is adopted as a coalition party to right the wrongs orchestrated by the APC. The unemployment rate is alarming, the naira is in free fall, and the civil servants’ minimum wage is a national disgrace.” He stressed that the coalition’s mission is to “bring succour to the people, chase hunger out of Nigeria, and restore the country to a trajectory of prosperity.”
Calling for the liberation of Abia and Nigeria at large through visionary leadership founded on integrity, equity, and accountability, he said his ideology in Abia since 1999 has been to bring in leaders with integrity who can rebuild Nigeria with justice and fairness. He maintained that “good governance must be rooted in probity and transparency.”
“I am therefore inviting Governor Alex Otti and others who have good intentions and are aspiring for elective positions to join the coalition or miss out in 2027,” he concluded.
In a lecture titled “Leadership Imperatives for a Successful Coalition and Merger Outcome,” Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), an environmental and rights advocate, proposed several critical leadership imperatives for the coalition’s success.
These include shared ideology, integrity, equity, internal democracy, collective messaging, conflict resolution systems, youth and women inclusion, and a
long-term vision.
Cautioning that mere opposition to the ruling party is insufficient to defeat it, Comrade Nwafor argued, “If merging or coaligning is only to defeat the APC, the coalition is already weak. So let us not merge with noise just to wrestle power, but coalign and merge for nation-building, restoration of hope, and a new belief system—which is the kind of coalition Nigeria needs.”
In another lecture, Professor Uzoma Emmanuel Afamefuna, a political scholar and reform advocate, emphasized the power of stakeholder engagement and civic participation in shaping Nigeria’s future, noting, “Nigeria has the resources, but its problem has always been leadership.”
He applauded the ADC for spearheading the coalition, predicting that with coordinated political strategy and grassroots mobilization, the opposition can offer a viable alternative in 2027. He added that rising beyond divisions and working as one people is the right path to building a new Nigeria.
The professor called for rotational leadership, equitable representation, and issue-based campaigns, highlighting the marginalization of the South East region. He urged the South East not to sell their votes for rice, wrappers, or fake promises, positing that only through citizen-led accountability can Nigeria chart a new course.
However, Blessed Amalambu, an unsuccessful Abia State ADC House of Assembly candidate in the 2023 elections, cautioned the coalition against the imposition of candidates and infiltration by corrupt individuals. He urged the coalition to critically screen aspirants before presenting them to the electorate to vote for.
