Why 2027 Elections Won’t Hold Without ADC on Ballot — Nwosu

Ralph Nwosu, the founding National Chairman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), has stated that the 2027 general elections cannot proceed if the ADC is excluded from the ballot.

Speaking at the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, Nwosu emphasized that President Bola Tinubu and INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan could not conduct elections without the ADC.

The summit was organized by the National Youth Leader of the ADC.

Nwosu highlighted that the opposition party has already garnered enough support to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

According to Nwosu, the ADC has secured significant backing, including talks with serving senators from the ruling APC.

He stated that despite the challenges, the coalition within the ADC has made impressive progress.

“We have put enough strategies in place to ensure that this doesn’t happen,” Nwosu said, referring to any attempts to undermine the party.

He stressed that the ADC already has five million members and plans to increase that number to 11 million.

Nwosu claimed that the ADC would use its strength to democratically end Tinubu’s rule in 2027.

He added that some serving senators have already pledged to join the ADC, despite government challenges.

“The statistics are already there on our portal,” Nwosu said, referencing the party’s growing membership base.

“We will have a minimum of 11 million people who are ready to contribute money to the party,” he said.

Nwosu further stated that the ADC’s participation in the elections is crucial, warning that the election cannot take place without the party’s inclusion on the ballot.

ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, also spoke at the event, stressing the need for the 35% affirmative action for youth and women to move beyond just declarations.

Rufai emphasized that the ADC’s leadership must follow the party’s constitution and include young members in leadership positions.

“The Youth Constituency is not begging for space,” Rufai said, asserting that young people have a constitutional right to governorship and legislative positions.

He highlighted that twelve governorship tickets are reserved for the Youth Constituency, as well as Senate and State House of Assembly seats.

“These are not promises, they are enforceable commitments,” Rufai stated.

The Youth Wing will establish three critical structures: the Youth Aspirants Screening Committee, the Youth Opinion Poll Committee, and the Youth Leaders Advisory Committee on INEC and Litigations.

Rufai emphasized that the Youth Wing will ensure transparency, credibility, and strategic coordination within the party.

“We will confront impunity, uphold justice, and reinforce credible opposition,” he said.

Former Special Assistant on Digital and Social Media to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, also spoke at the event.

She noted that young Nigerians have long been excluded from decision-making roles in politics.

Onochie declared that the era of exclusion is over, with the ADC’s 20% affirmative action being a correction of power imbalances.

The ADC has been facing a prolonged leadership crisis, with factions vying for control following Nwosu’s departure.

The crisis was further exacerbated by legal battles, including cases at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

On April 1, 2026, INEC removed key officials, including National Chairman David Mark, from its official register.

The removal followed a court order to maintain the status quo until the final judgment of the trial court.

Despite the challenges, Mark has called for calm and reiterated that the party will continue with its activities.

The Supreme Court recently concluded hearings on the leadership dispute and reserved judgment.

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