ADC in MARATHON MEETINGS, AFTER VISITING OBASANJO, SET TO BE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION; AS OBJ SAYS GLOBAL ATTENTION ON NIGERIA.

Less than two weeks to the presidential election, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, hosted a closed-door meeting with the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who came to seek his advice on the forthcoming election.

Led by its National Chairman, Chief Ralphs Nwosu and Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Mani Ibrahim, the 25 member high powered delegation  say that our country Nigeria is at a crossroad and needs effective leaders to navigate at this time otherwise everyone is bound for a cliff. 

In a brief remark that preceded the closed door meeting, held at the Penthouse of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Obasanjo said the global community, particularly, the West African countries of Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, were seriously concerned about what will be the outcome of the forthcoming election. He agree with ADC that a good compass is critical at this time. 

Obasanjo, who just returned from an official engagement in West African tour, emphatically declared that Nigerians must strive towards giving their best and ensuring that the forthcoming general election held.

He said some stakeholders, had suspended their activities in the sub-regional organisation, until after the Nigerian election.

“As you rightly said, we are in a critical period in Nigeria. In less than three weeks, we will be going to the poll to elect our leaders that will pilot the affairs of this country for the next four years from May and I hope nothing intervenes.

“I have been in Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire from the beginning of the week and from there, they are concerned about what happens in Nigeria as every Nigerian knows. Before I left Abidjan, President Alassane Quattara of Cote d’Ivoire was telling me about a position that Cote d’Ivoire is fighting for and he told me that, ‘we are putting it on hold until after Nigeria’s elections’.

“So, even for them, Nigeria’s elections is of utmost importance. My belief is that for us, who are directly involved, we cannot take it any less important. Therefore, I understand why you are here. Your party is one of the most important political parties in this country, today, and it doesn’t matter how things are. Therefore, I understand why you’re here.

“You’re also here as a family. We are all in Nigeria, we are a family and therefore, when we gather together, we can always discuss as members of the same Nigerian family. But what is of concern to Nigeria and on that note, we will now go on and talk as a member of the Nigerian family.”

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Mani said the ADC leadership, visited Obasanjo, to consult him  on alignment and realignment, that would happen, before the end of this month.

Mani, who said the period for merger among political parties was over according the the Electoral Act, added that the ADC, would come up with its decision in the next 48 to 72 hours.

He said, “The time stipulated  for merger by the provision of the Electoral Act, had expired. What we can do is collaboration. We have not come for a definite position but our party is looking for the way forward. We are still consulting and within the next 48 to 72 hours, we should come out clearly.” He stated. 

However, ADC is yet to make a specific pronouncement after over 72 hours due to highly intensed lobby and marathon meetings with various stakeholders in Nigeria and agents of various Political Party lobbying ADC for endorsement and Support. A source that pleaded anonymity  in the National office of ADC due to the fact that he was not permitted to officially speak, hinted to press team after one of the meetings that has become a regular daily development in ADC that the agents of the ruling Party APC and other Political parties especially PDP and Labour Party agents and supporters have been trooping into ADC National Secretariat to intestify their lobbies which has inspired ongoing marathon meetings in ADC National Secretariat. Interestingly, in what appears to be a carefully calculated moves not to make mistakes, ADC is yet to make a pronouncement and is still listening to all and analyzing options. 

It is been speculated that PDP may not enjoy the support of ADC as it has been exposed that the expelled Presidential candidate of ADC, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, was a mole planted by PDP to block its presidential slot. In what appears to be a calculated desire by some political actors within the PDP to stop ADC from presenting a formidable candidate in 2023 Presidential election. It has also been made clear by the leadership of ADC that the ideals of ADC which stands for quality leadership and good governance are lacking in the ruling Party APC, which is one of the major reason ADC may find it difficult to support APC presidential candidate as Nigerians are currently suffering massively and apparently displeased with the leadership style of APC. 

It was equally hinted that previous sour relationship and sharp political issues between the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, and the National Chairman of ADC,Chief. Ralphs Nwosu, ADC is not likely to support Labour Party. Although, the ideals of labour Party candidate seem to be in complete alignment with ADC. ADC being the third largest party in Nigeria with Youths, women, Diaspora and PWD total inclusion and ownership. ADC stands for quality leadership and good governance and will never hesitate to support those that stands for quality leadership and good governance that guarantees dividend of Democracy. Whatever decision ADC takes will be known to the general public in no distance time for now. Just a matter of little time. Whichever ways ADC goes will certainly determine the outcome of the election. As the world's interest in Nigeria is high, pundits and Nigerians keep watch on ADC. 

For now fingers crossed.