African Democratic Congress, ADC chairman in Ondo State, Bashorun Tola Alabere, has said the party is ready to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
He spoke in Akure just as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the ADC presidential candidate at the party’s primary election, signaling what party leaders describe as a renewed political force ahead of the next general election.
Announcing the result in Akure, Ondo State, the Returning Officer, Ajibola Samuel, declared Atiku the winner after polling 18,287 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 6,031 votes, while Hayadeem garnered 837 votes.
The outcome has sparked excitement among party faithful across the country, with ADC leaders expressing confidence that the party is now positioned to offer Nigerians a credible alternative amid growing economic and security concerns.
Reacting to the emergence of Atiku as the party’s flag bearer, the Ondo State Chairman of ADC, Bashorun Tola Alabere, said the party is fully prepared to confront the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and capitalize on what he described as widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians.
“Definitely, we are prepared. We are ready for them, and the evidence is clear for everyone to see. ADC is fully on ground in Ondo State and across the country,” Alabere declared.
He said the decision now lies with the people of Ondo State and Nigerians at large, asking whether they are willing to continue enduring economic hardship, insecurity, and a declining standard of living.
“It is left for the people to decide whether they want to continue in abject poverty, whether they want to continue facing economic hardship, insecurity, and a situation where parents can no longer afford school fees for their children. These are the issues we are taking to the electorate, and we believe they will listen to us,” he said.
Alabere accused the ruling APC of weakening opposition voices over the years but insisted that ADC remains undeterred and is gaining momentum daily.
“They tried to decimate the opposition, but they have failed. We are not bothered by the antics of the government. In fact, our strength continues to grow every day,” he stated.
He pointed to what he described as a surge in grassroots support for the party, revealing that thousands of new members have joined ADC despite political challenges.
According to him, prominent political figures are also aligning with the party, including Senator Akinyelure, whom he said recently embraced the ADC platform after recognizing its growing political potential.
“When we started, Senator Akinyelure was not with us. But he saw the light in ADC and realized that under this platform, victory is possible. Today, he is with us, and we have chosen him as our senatorial candidate for Ondo Central. By the grace of God, he will win,” Alabere added.
The Ondo ADC chairman expressed confidence that internal dissatisfaction within the APC would ultimately work in his party’s favor, predicting that many ruling party members would cast their votes for ADC in the coming election.
“With the level of discontent in APC today, I can confidently tell you that many of their members will vote for us. Nigerians are tired, and they are ready for change,” he said.
The emergence of Atiku as ADC’s presidential candidate is expected to reshape political alignments nationwide as opposition parties intensify preparations for what promises to be a fiercely contested election.
