Ohanaeze Ndigbo Hails ADC Adoption, Warns Tinubu Against Nigeria’s Drift to One-Party State

The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has commended the recent adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by leaders of Nigeria’s opposition coalition, describing the move as a vital milestone in halting the country’s drift towards an unhealthy one-party system.

In a joint press statement issued on Friday by its factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Chief Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze said the adoption of the ADC has effectively neutralized the so-called “crisis merchants” allegedly engaged to weaken opposition parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, SDP, and APGA.

“This development has heralded a remarkable milestone, effectively halting Nigeria’s dangerous drift towards an unhealthy one-party nation,” the statement read. “It has rendered irrelevant those individuals previously engaged to undermine opposition parties, as their political benefactors grow increasingly anxious in light of the ADC’s emergence as a formidable contender and genuine threat.”

Ohanaeze called on the federal government to “wake up from its complacent slumber” and take decisive action to accelerate Nigeria’s economic recovery.

The group urged President Bola Tinubu to reflect on whether his administration’s policies have genuinely benefited ordinary Nigerians.

“President Tinubu stands clearly on notice; it is now essential for him to pursue redemptive actions that foster economic revitalization and to engage in a critical self-assessment of whether his administration’s unpopular policies have yielded any beneficial outcomes,” the statement noted.

The group cited what it called the glaring inefficiency of certain ministers in overseeing critical sectors, including the economy, security, agriculture, health, and rural development, and advised the President to undertake a Cabinet reevaluation as the administration approaches two years in office by August 2025.

While commending Ministers David Umahi and Nyesom Wike for strides in road infrastructure and transformative policies in the Federal Capital Territory, Ohanaeze urged President Tinubu to prioritize reforms crafted by credible Nigerian economists and technocrats, putting the national interest above political expediency.

“Such a reevaluation is of paramount importance for restoring public confidence in his administration and mending our significantly damaged economy,” the group said.

Ohanaeze further advised President Tinubu to see the ADC’s rise as a challenge and an opportunity to recalibrate his governance approach.

“The time for taking the Nigerian populace for granted has long since passed; neglecting their paramount needs can only lead to grave consequences for his administration,” the statement warned.

However, the group also cautioned that many opposition coalition leaders bear responsibility for Nigeria’s hardship since 2015, alleging that 80% of ADC coalition leaders have questionable track records and are driven by personal ambitions for state capture.

Ohanaeze claimed that intelligence reports indicate that some Northern governors may betray Tinubu’s 2027 re-election ambitions by switching allegiance to the ADC amid concerns about possible changes to the Vice Presidency.

“The Northern region stands poised to sabotage his political interests should the President decide to displace his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, with another Northern nominee in the forthcoming elections,” the statement added.

The group concluded by urging President Tinubu to confront his administration’s shortcomings with sincerity and urgency, warning that Nigeria’s current trajectory demands immediate and significant adjustments.