PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS’ ENDORSEMENT AND STAR ALLIANCE FOR OBI-DATTI TO ENSURE VICTORY BY THE BOT CHAIRMAN OF THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, ADC, DR. MANI IBRAHIM.
PROTOCOLS
We founded this party over 16 years ago and we knew it was not going to be easy, but we committed to invest ourselves in the struggle. At the time, we were sure that the structures in place were so fluid, undisciplined, corrupted and frail to carry the country. Almost every Nigerian today shares that sentiment. Time has proved us so right.
We told ourselves that we are going to be the grassroots political party with an inclusive culture and unique character that will champion the transformation of Nigeria and Africa: a party to birth a New Nigeria Nation, where opportunities abound for all as a result of justice, rich diversity principles and values, and creative leadership with capacity to inspire the greatest innovative pursuit amongst our youths and entire people.
A nation where every one of us and our future generation can dream big dreams and see their dreams come true. A nation where no one is oppressed. Are we succeeding? Sure yes. We never fooled ourselves that we were going to produce the President or Governors in even 10 years, we knew that nation building in a highly corrupted space is a struggle.
Things may be murky today; but the signs of the rainbow are beginning to be evident. To show that we have made good progress, in 2018, ADC emerged as a party of choice after a due diligence scrutiny conducted by eminent persons and leaders of civil societies in the country. Despite the struggles we’ve faced in the last 6 months as a party, our determination has made us come out stronger.
We presently have over 1,400 Candidates running for several positions: Governorship, Senate, Representative and State Assembly. Within the last 4 months, different youth and women organizations have openly endorsed ADC and proposed to work with our candidates at the grassroots. Nigerians in diaspora are solidly behind over 200 of our candidates that cut across all regions.
Today, we come together as a family and as a formidable third force: our Grand Patrons and Board of Trustee members; our National Executive Council; our National Working Committee; our Diaspora Network and our National Youth Council to take stand in solidarity, moving forward for the viable Presidential Candidate the entire nation is clamoring for.
After our due diligence and critical assessment of the 17 Presidential Candidates and what they have to offer Nigerians, and after consulting our Grand Patron and former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, we decided as a party that the Obi-Datti Movement is a worthy cause to endorse. Today, we form this Star Alliance for one purpose only: to ensure a loud victory.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, it has been over 22 years since we embraced democracy as a Nation. The first presidential election that heralded this republic was held on the 27th of February, 1999 and in a week time, we would be coincidentally marking the eve of that event in which General Olusegun Obasanjo, one of the highly respected military veterans, an Owu man from Ogun State, South West Nigeria, was elected President.
This Star Alliance is significant, because we must decide to shape the space mindfully going forward or believe me, this country is doomed. A whole generation of 20/30 years has passed since, after the annulled June 12th election of 1993. This democracy was as a result of the combined efforts and sacrifices of many: civil society leaders, concerned professionals, labour, PRONACO and NADECO, Nigeria’s International friends, and many other individuals and patriots.
Today, Nigeria has become more divided than ever before. Leaders at National and State levels have learnt the art of designing and borrowing framework to source for money across the world to no end, while they leave the country and future generation in perpetual debts. For over two years now, Nigeria has maintained the shameful record of the poverty capital of the world.
The insurgency and brigandage at all level across the country is mind bugling. Boko haram, banditry, kidnapping and dangerous activities of herders who have infiltrated the country from all over Africa continues to leave the country in a state of depression, despair and death. Despite the huge borrowing, the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria today is beyond redemption.
Apart from the recent CBN’s policy that has taken people back into serious poverty, fuel hike and other National issues are worrisome. If anything untoward happens to our democracy, the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Political Parties will be the most hit as have happened in our not too distant history. We must therefore be wary.
We do not stand alone in this solidarity. Our Star Alliance Partners include the following: Nigeria Mothers for Good Governance, Fulani United, Nigeria Artisans, League of Imams, Nigeria Traders, Yoruba United, Mega Political Coalition, Kanuris United, Nigeria Professional Group, DG Global Groups, Almalgamated Coalitions, Groups and Nigeria Legions United.
However, while we will do everything within our power and position to ask party members and supporters to vote for Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Amed for President and Vice President, it is our request that for this collaboration to be more effective, ADC candidates for Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and States Assembly positions should receive reciprocal support where they are more dominant than their Labor party candidates.
This will enable the two parties to have good numbers of Legislators to back Obi-Datti’s Presidency. As we stand, we are aware of quite a number of our Candidates who have personally endorsed the Obi-Datti Movement.
In the same vein, our position, advocacy and projections are firmly based on a government of national unity, collegiate and translational leadership which we believe this alliance will highly benefit from. As we look forward to a victorious election come Saturday, 25th of February 2023, we encourage every Nigerian to go out massively to vote Obi-Datti for President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God Bless The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God Bless the African Democratic Congress.
God Bless the Star Alliance.
God Bless the Obi-Datti Movement.
