2027: ADC Inaugurates Reconciliation Committee, Moves To Unite Aggrieved Candidates

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated its National Reconciliation and Peace Committee with a mandate to resolve grievances arising from its recently concluded primaries and unite members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The committee, which is expected to engage aggrieved aspirants, candidates, party leaders and other stakeholders, is also charged with developing measures to integrate unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters into the structures of the party.

Speaking at the inauguration, the National Chairman of the ADC said the initiative was necessary to strengthen the party, heal wounds and rebuild trust following the conclusion of its various primary elections.

He said although the primaries produced candidates who would fly the party’s flag in the 2027 elections, they also created disappointments and grievances which must be acknowledged and addressed in the interest of the party.

According to him, the outcome of a primary election should not determine the place of a member within the party.

“An election may determine who carries the flag, but it must never determine who belongs to the Party,” he said.

The chairman urged successful aspirants to recognise that victory comes with responsibility and should not be used to exclude, humiliate or marginalise those who contested against them.

He equally appealed to unsuccessful aspirants to remain committed to the party, stressing that their experience, political networks, structures and commitment remained important assets that the ADC could not afford to lose.

“Our real challenge is not the ADC member who contested against you. Our real challenge is to build a united political platform capable of winning the confidence of Nigerians in 2027,” he said.

He explained that the National Working Committee established the committee in accordance with Article 9.1 of the ADC Constitution, while the party’s commitment to reconciliation was also rooted in its “Handshake Philosophy” and Article 6.3 of its constitution, which commits members to building bridges across differences.

He said the committee would engage aspirants, candidates, party leaders and stakeholders in constructive dialogue to identify grievances, address legitimate concerns and restore confidence among members.

It is also expected to recommend practical measures for integrating unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters into the party’s structures, noting that no political structure, relationship, experience or commitment developed during the primaries should be allowed to go to waste.

The committee will further establish appropriate zonal sub-committees to ensure continuous engagement, monitoring and follow-up on reconciliation efforts across the country.

The chairman charged members of the committee to approach their assignment with fairness, neutrality, maturity, sincerity and confidentiality.

He also appealed to state chairmen, zonal coordinators, candidates, aspirants and elected representatives to support the reconciliation process.

He warned party members against internal sabotage and revenge politics, stressing that the ADC must not allow disagreements arising from the primaries to undermine its preparations for the 2027 elections.

“There must be no internal sabotage. No politics of revenge. No permanent winners and no permanent losers.

“We are one political family,” he said.

The ADC chairman further noted that although members retained their constitutional right to seek justice over grievances, disputes that could be resolved through dialogue and internal mechanisms should first be subjected to such avenues.

He said the 2027 general elections would require a disciplined, coordinated and united party, warning that the ADC could not afford to approach the elections as a divided house.

He urged party members to respect democratic processes and resolve their differences without destroying the institution they had collectively built.

The committee is chaired by Senator (Dr) Tunde Ogbeha, CON, while Senator (Prof.) Oserheimen Osunbor, representing the South-South, is the Deputy Chairman.

Other members are Dr Ahmad Ajuji from the North-East; Barrister Musa Elayo from the North Central; Senator Andrew Uchendu from the South-South; Dr Bon Unachukwu from the South-East; Mr Kunle Ige from the South-West; Hon. Hajia Rabi Sule from the North-East; and Hon. Abubakar Kanike.

1. Peter Oyewale, Esq., is the Secretary of the committee, while B. Isaac Dare Oketade serves as Deputy Secretary.

Six Zonal Legal Advisers will also work with the committee and liaise with it in their respective zones.

The chairman said the reconciliation exercise was not merely intended to settle political disagreements but to strengthen the character, unity and organisational capacity of the ADC as it prepares for what he described as the historic responsibility before the party in 2027.

He called on aggrieved members to give reconciliation a chance, while urging successful candidates to extend a hand of fellowship to their fellow contestants.

He also called on unsuccessful aspirants to remain committed to the larger vision of the ADC and urged party leaders to lead by example.

“Let us forgive where necessary, apologise where required, correct what must be corrected and rebuild the confidence that may have been lost,” he said.

He added that the ADC must demonstrate internally the kind of Nigeria it seeks to build externally , one where differences are managed with maturity, diversity is respected and disputes are resolved peacefully.

The chairman subsequently formally inaugurated the National Reconciliation and Peace Committee and charged its members to “build bridges, heal wounds, restore confidence and bring our members together.”

He said the party must put the disagreements of the primaries behind it and unite around the task of building a strong political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.