By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

African Democratic Congress (ADC) says zoning discussions are not on its radar for now, insisting that its immediate concern is building a strong, credible opposition that Nigerians can trust.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Abdullahi, who said that the party remained focused on establishing firm national presence, noted that ADC’s emergence had halted Nigeria’s drift towards a one-party system within just a few months.

He said that the party’s impact was already evident nationwide, arguing that Nigerians no longer lacked an opposition voice capable of challenging misdirection by successive governments.

According to him, many Nigerians want an alternative party to continue and that ADC must demonstrate readiness to govern through clear plans and credible proposals.

He noted the party was expanding rapidly, with the establishment of offices in 28 states within five months, yet acknowledging significant work ahead, especially in completing nationwide membership registration.

Abdullahi dismissed zoning debates as premature, describing them as strategic issues best addressed later, not while the party was still building essential structures and internal systems.

“Our duty or responsibility as a political party right now is not the issue of zoning.

“This is the time to convince Nigerians that we represent that viable alternative by showing that we are not only out to grab power but convincing them that ADC represents the alternative,” he said.

On ensuring party cohesion, Abdullahi stated that the party’s constitution prevented individuals or groups from dominating the party, a safeguard which, he said, was shaped by failures witnessed in other political platforms.

He said many ADC members arrived as “political refugees” from destabilised parties like PDP, Labour Party and even APC after being sidelined or displaced by internal contradictions.

“We are very conversant with what pushed us here, which are some of the internal contradictions within those parties.

“That is why in building ADC, we are ensuring that we are starting on a different philosophy of politics. We have leaders, yes, but they cannot tell you that they are in control of the party.

“We are mindful of where we are coming from and what has led to the destabilisation of those other political parties,” he added.

Abdullahi explained that unchecked ambition had ruined many political parties, noting that ADC had avoided such pitfalls, with no member publicly declaring bids for governorship, senate or presidency.

“Even those who want to be president, it’s just rumour. Nobody has come out to say that I want to be president.

“And that’s the kind of discipline that we’re trying to impose on ourselves that, let us build a political party first. After building this party, it will be able to accommodate everybody’s ambition,” he stated.

The ADC spokesman concluded that the party aimed to maintain strong internal unity, while staying alert against any external interference, ensuring that it grows steadily enough to carry every member’s future ambition. (NAN)