ADC Pledges Political Change, Forms Policy and Manifesto Committee Ahead of 2027

Ahead of the general elections in 2027, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated its intention to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape by providing people-centered governance based on empathy, pragmatism, and responsibility.
The party announced this on Monday in Abuja during the Policy and Manifesto Committee’s inauguration, which it called a crucial turning point in its efforts to save Nigeria from escalating socioeconomic suffering.

Speaking at the event, Senator David A. B. Mark, National Chairman of the ADC, stated that the nation was in dire need of a new political narrative that puts citizens at the center of governance rather than distant policy experiments.

He said that the inauguration was a calculated move to provide Nigerians legitimate options to what he called years of incompetent leadership rather than a standard party ritual.
Families are making less money while working harder. The power supply is still unstable despite rising tariffs, food prices are rising more quickly than wages can keep up, and social and economic life is still being disrupted by insecurity, according to Mark.

Although poverty and hardship have always existed in Nigeria, he contended that under the current administration, the extent of suffering has increased due to policies that disregard individuals’ everyday circumstances.
Mark emphasized that Nigerians are in dire need of programs that alleviate their suffering and give them hope; they are no longer interested in political rhetoric, statistics, or blame-shifting.
“Nigerians don’t seek out intelligent debates. He stated, “They want policies and actions that demonstrate that the government is aware of what they are going through and is ready to act with clarity, courage, and compassion.”

The former Senate President bemoaned the fact that Nigeria does not lack ideas, but rather that it struggles to bring them to life. He pointed out that many government programs are still merely theoretical endeavors that do not result in better living conditions.

“Reports are written, committees are established, and documents are produced, but nothing changes in the lives of the people, which is what matters most,” he continued.
Mark questioned the rationality of policies that place greater obligations on citizens without real advantages, citing the elimination of fuel and energy subsidies as examples.
“The true question is whether individuals can enhance other aspects of their lives by paying more for food, transportation, fuel, and power. “Obviously, the answer is no,” he stated, adding that the ADC needs to give specific explanations of what it would do differently.

He listed the following as priority areas that need to be tackled comprehensively rather than piecemeal: food production, healthcare, education, transportation, job creation, and insecurity.
“Loss of life is not the only aspect of insecurity. Mark cautioned, “It is about deserted farms, uprooted communities, closed schools, and a climate of fear that stifles economic activity.”

He insisted that no one person, no matter how powerful or wealthy, should control the party and urged for internal party protections to prevent the accumulation of power in the hands of a select few.
“You’re not only here to make suggestions. He informed the committee members, “You are here to make sure that every suggestion is realistic and lessens suffering, not just reorganize it.”
Dr. John Oyegun, the chairman of the Policy and Manifesto Committee, praised the party leadership for their trust in the committee during his acceptance address. He described the task as both an honor and a significant responsibility.

Oyegun emphasized that governance under the ADC would not be “business as usual” and stated that the committee will use Mark’s speech as a foundation.
“You have requested that we create a manifesto and policies that the average Nigerian can relate to and understand how they relate to their everyday lives,” he stated.

He criticized decades of poor governance, pointing out that Nigerians are unable to identify a single sector where issues have been significantly fixed despite significant public investment.
“You can’t claim with confidence that we have reliable power, reasonably priced transit, or true security. Oyegun said, “There is a lot of movement and noise, but the people’s lives have not really improved.”

Promising that the ADC will oppose what he called a “contractor-governed system,” the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress cautioned against the culture in which party manifestos are abandoned once power is gained.

Oyegun pledged that the committee would endeavor to guarantee that ADC governments stay answerable to the people and do not distance themselves from the electorate.

Former APC Vice Chairman North Hon. Salihu Lukman, former Kogi State Deputy Governor Hon. Simon Achuba, and members of the party’s National Working Committee were among the committee members in attendance at the inauguration.