A former Edo State governor, Oserheimen Osunbor, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a credible platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Osunbor said the ADC offers Nigerians renewed hope for improved governance, stressing the need for a leadership reset.
He made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed recent political developments and defections involving the party.
Dismissing concerns over defections, Osunbor said the ADC continues to attract more members than it loses.
“There are more people joining the ADC than those leaving. That should give you cause to be optimistic,” he said.
He added that while individuals have the right to associate freely, the party should be satisfied as long as it records a net gain in membership.
According to him, the ADC remains a viable platform for aspirants seeking to contest the presidency in 2027, noting that Nigeria urgently needs a leadership recruitment system capable of producing competent leaders.
“It offers a strong option to rescue Nigeria and restore good governance, because nothing will work unless the leadership recruitment process is fixed,” he said.
Osunbor also emphasised the need to strengthen democratic institutions and allow them to function independently.
“Unless institutions operate as they should, and due process is followed, the country will continue to slide deeper into underdevelopment,” he warned.
He further alleged that some legal challenges facing the ADC were politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition.
“The legal issues confronting the ADC are orchestrated. Some individuals were encouraged to remain within the party to create internal crises,” he claimed.
The former governor also raised concerns about what he described as executive interference in key state institutions, particularly the judiciary.
Responding to criticism that the ADC is filled with former officeholders who underperformed, Osunbor defended the party’s members.
“Name anyone in the ADC who is as corrupt or as bad as those in the APC. If you point out one corrupt person in ADC, I can identify ten in APC,” he said.
He added that while no political party is perfect, the ADC compares favourably to the ruling party.
