Dear ADC family,
About 20 years ago, the founders of the African Democratic Congress had a vision, one that was anchored on national unity (handshake across the nation) and purposeful national development. The vision encapsulated a glorious rebirth of Nigeria (arise) and taking our place in the committee of outstanding nations (shine). To boot, the pioneers were inspired by divine prayers to declare that Nigeria must arise, and then Nigerians can shine.
In 2017, ADC’s push for a coalition of similar like minds to reset Nigeria’s common destiny began, and in 2025, by providence, it was established. It was a timely intervention in national affairs.
We live in perilous times, where insecurity is at its highest, food, rent, and transportation inflation are through the roof and our average human development indices are locked in at their lowest. Our national debt is skyrocketing, yet our income per capita is lower now than it was 12 years ago.
While the ruling party has created a governing culture of impunity, gotten richer from higher general taxes and removal of oil subsidies, the average Nigerian is poorer, and many more are living under the poverty line than at any time in our history.
Our suffering does not recognise tribe or faith. It is universal. Our predicament is no respecter of persons, and no one can accurately predict our way out under the current rulership.
ADC’s vision is not built around individuals or caucuses, but around the need for us all to put our hands on a common oar and pull ourselves from a red ocean into safer seas. To this vision we are earnestly committed, despite all the machinations and orchestrations against the vision, either from within or from without. We shall overcome.
The coalition under ADC was designed to save Nigeria and not to pander to parochial interests. While we acknowledge that no merger or coalition is without its challenges, as a people, we are greater than our problems. While we acknowledge the presence of 5th columnists who come to divide and decimate our purpose, we also believe that the people of Nigeria can discern between a people passionate to help Nigerians and those simply interested in extracting our commonwealth for private benefits.
To this vision we remain committed, and in ADC Lagos our resolve is even stronger. We thrive in the midst of chaos, and we rise while others go low. We are a family built for times like this, and the electorate will know in the coming months why we insist the people are the centre of our transformational style of politics.
We acknowledge our unique differences, our individual motivations, and our choices of political platforms. Yet, we have one thing that binds us together…our love for our nation. ADC Lagos is the true family for us all.
To this we are committed, for Nigeria’s greatness we will continue to stand, for the great success of Eko Ile we are greatly driven.
- George Ashiru is the Chairman of the ADC, Lagos State
