ADC The Last Vehicle For National Rescue Operations, Group Warns Atiku, Obi, Amaechi

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

A civil society group,The Handshake Movement THM, has cautioned those jostling for the Presidential ticket of the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, against allowing their personal ambitions to fracture, and unsettle the only platform available to the suffering people of Nigeria to express themselves.

According to the advocacy group, in the face of the near death situation of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, Labour Party LP , and other opposition parties, it will  amount to a grave political misadventure for the presidential hopefuls to deny the overwhelming, but suffering majority of Nigerians  the opportunity of having a viable alternative ahead of the 2027 polls.

Referring specifically to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP in the 2023 elections, and the immediate past Minister of Transportation Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the THM in a statement issued at the weekend, by its National Secretary, Chinedu Okpalanma,  urged the  aspirants to submit themselves to the rules and regulations governing the party, in the pursuit of their ambition.

The THM warned that the general dispositions of the various presidential aspirants,holds much for the unity of the ADC, as well as its ability to serve as a credible alternative to the ruling, All Progressive Congress, APC.

According to the group,  overwhelming majority of Nigerians having been deeply frustrated by the growing excruciating economic hardships and insecurity in the country, have come to perceive the ADC as the only surviving opposition platform available to them.

However, the civil society group, expressed fears that unbridled and inordinate personal political ambitions of the leading presidential aspirants, could distabilize the party,and erode its capacity and readiness to serve as a veritable alternative for Nigerians.

“Personal ambition must never be allowed to fracture the very platform that millions of Nigerians now see as a possible vehicle for national rescue”, the group stated

Furthermore, the THM underscored the urgent need for the progenitors, leaders and major stakeholders of the ADC to work in concert to strengthen the party ,and sustain public trust and confidence, particularly at this trying moment in the life of the people.

The group called for discipline, transparency and sincerity of purpose on the part of the leadership of the party, in its search for political flag bearers.

Particularly, the THM emphasized the importance of eschewing sectarian, ethnic and religious sentiments in the process of selecting candidates for the 2027 elections.

Besides, the group insisted on the conduct of credible, fair, and transparent primaries, with the process building and cementing trust and confidence, rather than creating unnecessary friction and fracture.

According to the advocacy organization, the emphasis should be on  the selection of candidates with capacity and national appeal, rather than appeal to ethnic and religious considerations.