The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially unveiled its Borno State chapter, declaring its readiness to challenge the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and provide a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sheriff Banki, the state convener of the party, made this known while addressing journalists during the party’s unveiling ceremony held in Maiduguri on Thursday.
He accused the ruling APC of systematically suppressing all opposition voices in the state.
“Borno is in dire need of opposition parties.
As far as we are concerned, there is no opposition in the state,” Banki stated. “But starting from today, with the unveiling of this ADC, there will be tough opposition in Borno State that can checkmate and hold the government responsible for having proper checks and balances of their activities.”
Banki further alleged that the crises plaguing major opposition parties across the country were being fuelled by the APC-led administration.
He explained that the ADC had joined a broader national coalition aimed at resisting political manipulation and offering Nigerians a credible alternative.
“Because of the crises facing major opposition parties in the country, which are perpetuated by the present APC administration, we have decided to go into a national coalition movement, which we believe cannot be controlled or manipulated by the APC,” he said.
According to him, Borno will not be left behind in this renewed push for political reform. “We in Borno accept this coalition in good faith and have decided to adopt the ADC as a political party under the leadership of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, the leader in the North East, and Kashim Imam in Borno.”
On the party’s strategy for the upcoming elections, Banki noted that all members and affiliate groups within the coalition had agreed to support whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate.
“Both the obedient members of the party and others who have come together will support whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the party, and that is the agreement between all the leaders,” he affirmed.
He also emphasized that the ADC would serve as a platform for progressive-minded individuals seeking to bring meaningful development to the country.
“We can win. What has always held us back from succeeding in the state is the manipulation both within and outside.
The people within the opposition are often manipulated, and the ruling party has all the mechanisms to manipulate whatever they want,” he said. “In this case, with serious commitment and courage, I believe we can confront them, challenge them, and succeed in the struggle.”
Banki revealed that several prominent political figures have already aligned with the ADC in Borno. “In the state, we have strong stakeholders.
Here, you can see former governorship aspirants under the NNPP, former treasurer of the PDP, former House of Assembly members, former state secretary, and party executives too numerous to mention,” he disclosed.
The unveiling marks a significant development in Borno’s political landscape, with the ADC positioning itself as a credible opposition force in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.
