The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has gained momentum in Kwara State, and has attracted several big names.
Former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and ex-lawmaker Abubakar Amuda Kannike have both pitched their tents with the ADC.
The move was confirmed by party chieftain, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq, who described the ADC as a “credible alternative” to the ruling APC and opposition PDP.
Ahmed, who governed Kwara between 2011 and 2019, is now said to be taking an active role in shaping the party’s direction. Kannike, who represented Ilorin East/Ilorin South in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, is also on board.
“Former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is with us. He is in Ilorin now, actively engaged in ADC activities,” Abdulrasaq said.
Several other influential figures are also backing the ADC. Former Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, alongside politicians such as Zakari Mohammed, Danladi from Offa, and Oba Aluko, are aligning with the party’s grassroots push.
Abdulrasaq further revealed that his own defection from the NNPP to the ADC brought all ward and local government structures of the NNPP into the fold. “As a former chieftain of NNPP, I moved with all the 193 ward chairmen and the 16 local government chairmen of NNPP into ADC,” he noted.
According to him, Ahmed and Kannike are not just joining as members but are now providing leadership within the ADC. “The former governor is among our leaders and one of those giving us direction in the party,” he stressed.
The ADC insists it is committed to doing politics differently.
“We have vowed before God not to treat the people the way other politicians have treated them. We will not manipulate the people or exploit them,” Abdulrasaq added.
ADC serves as the opposition coalition platform ahead of 2027. It was formally adopted on July 2 at an event held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. At the event, Ralph Nwosu handed over the party to interim leaders: former Senate President David Mark as chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.
Opposition leaders in support of the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, among others.