By CHARLES IWUOHA

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi State has inaugurated its State Transition Committee ahead of its ward, local government and state congresses, warning members against sabotaging the party’s efforts to position itself for victory in the 2027 general elections.

The State Leader of the party, Dr. Sunday Opoke, said the ADC is determined to “rescue Nigeria from the ditch and debt of poverty, insecurity, impunity, bad governance and corruption,” which he claimed have eroded the country’s social and economic systems.

Dr. Opoke, who was the 2023 governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Ebonyi State, cautioned party members against betrayal, sabotage and internal wrangling.

He alleged that some individuals currently parading themselves as ADC leaders in the state are government loyalists bent on frustrating efforts to reposition the party.

According to him, Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, with once-functional institutions deteriorating steadily.

“Everything we used to know as functional in this country has been eroded. Today, if you are in a government school, it is as if you are not in school. In our time, it was the reverse. Today, there is no functional health system. Poverty is widespread. We are under what can best be described as kleptocratic governance,” he said.

He added that Nigerians cannot afford to remain passive while the nation declines, stressing that the ADC emerged to provide credible leadership and restore hope.

“Let me make it clear: anyone here pretending to be in ADC while working for APC, PDP or any other party is in the wrong place,” Opoke warned.

He further alleged that the Ebonyi State Government had strategically planted loyalists within the ADC to hijack its structures.

According to him, in several local government areas, individuals parading as ADC executives are political appointees serving as personal assistants to commissioners, special assistants to council chairmen, or coordinators of development centres under the current administration.

He said the situation has created confusion and discouraged prospective members who are willing to join what he described as a genuine movement for change.

“If you are here to compromise or act as a stooge of the government, the system will eject you. We are building a transparent structure anchored on good governance, inclusiveness, responsiveness, respect for the rule of law, and prioritising the welfare and security of Nigerians,” he stated.

Opoke lamented the prevailing insecurity in the country, saying governance must be anchored on the security and welfare of the people.

“People are massacred unchecked and unabated. Nigerians can no longer afford three square meals. They are bleeding and asking when relief will come. But there is hope,” he added.

Inaugurating the Transition Committee, Chief Ogbonnia Oko Enyim described the move as a bold step to reclaim the party from alleged hijackers.

He said the committee was a product of courage, conviction and commitment to due process.

“The mandate is clear: to restore order and strengthen the structures of the party across the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State. The committee is expected to prepare the party for credible congresses and electoral victory in 2027,” he said.

He stressed that the ADC would not be hijacked, weakened or reduced to a platform for personal ambition.

“We stand for internal democracy, unity, discipline and responsible leadership. To the members of this committee, history has placed a responsibility on your shoulders. Build a structure that reflects the true will of our members and the aspirations of the people,” he charged.

Also speaking, the Chairman of ADC Movement in Ebonyi State, Barrister Solomon Adum, urged members not to be intimidated by alleged harassment or pressure from the ruling party

He assured that the ADC would deploy every legal means available to resist intimidation and protect its members.

Adum called for unity, cooperation and commitment, noting that Nigerians are looking to the ADC for solutions to hunger, insecurity, economic hardship and what he described as persistent governance failures.

The Inauguration concluded with a renewed pledge by party leaders to strengthen internal structures and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 polls.

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