Nigeria A Graveyard Of Abandoned Projects – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has decried the high rate of abandoned projects across the country, attributing the development to alleged corruption and lack of political will by federal and state governments to complete projects initiated in the public interest.

The party said it would uphold the principle of institutional continuity by ensuring that changes in leadership or responsibilities do not result in the arbitrary abandonment, reversal or neglect of projects, policies and initiatives that serve the public interest, regardless of who initiated them.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this yesterday at the unveiling of the Code of Conduct for candidates seeking elective positions on the platform of the party in the 2027 elections.

Abdullahi said the country had become a “graveyard of abandoned projects” because of corruption and political considerations, stressing that the ADC would adopt a different approach if elected into government.

“Nigeria is now a graveyard of abandoned projects due to monumental corruption at various tiers of government in the country.

“Our party will change that because every project initiated must be completed, and we shall not allow political favouritism or godfatherism in governance, where kickbacks will lead to the stoppage of projects that will benefit the average Nigerian,” he said.

In a joint statement issued by the National Chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the party on the document titled ” The Orange Book” said the adoption of the document was a response to what it described as decades of corruption, weakened institutions and the erosion of public trust by elected officials and government representatives.

According to the statement, the principles contained in the document are intended to ensure that leaders elected on the ADC platform conduct themselves in accordance with the values of public service, accountability and responsible leadership.

The party leadership said its elected officials would be expected to adopt a different approach to governance, anchored on service, personal sacrifice and ethical leadership.

“We are not asking Nigerians to follow us blindly; we are calling them to stand with us shoulder to shoulder, as guardians of a new national covenant rooted in service and accountability,” the statement said.

The ADC leadership said the new code was also informed by growing public dissatisfaction with unfulfilled political promises, stressing that elected representatives on its platform would be required to remain accountable to the people..

It said The Orange Book would serve as a framework for guiding the conduct of ADC public office holders and reinforcing the party’s commitment to responsible governance.

Earlier, Abdullahi described Senator David Mark as a driving force behind the party’s current direction, saying the former Senate President had played a significant role in shaping the ADC’s new approach to governance.

He said the party was seeking to provide an alternative approach to governance, with particular emphasis on discipline and accountability among elected representatives.

“Our party will do something differently by instilling discipline among the elected representatives to be accountable to the people,” he said.

The party said the Code of Conduct would also serve as a guide for its candidates and elected officials, with the aim of ensuring that political power is exercised in the interest of the people rather than for personal, political or partisan benefits.

The ADC further pledged to promote transparency, accountability and continuity in public administration, stressing that public projects should not be abandoned merely because there has been a change in government or political leadership.