ADC Will Work by New Rules, Reject Overlord Politicians, Assures Bolaji Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to chart a new course in Nigerian politics by rejecting the dominance of elected officials within the party and embracing a system guided by its members. Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister and leading figure in the party, made the declaration during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. Abdullahi said the ADC is being shaped by individuals who are tired of the negative perception associated with politics and are determined to restore dignity to public service. “Us, within this new party, that are willing, that are tired of being looked down upon just because we are politicians,” he said. “When I introduce myself as a writer, people look at me and say wow. But the moment I say I’m a politician, people begin to react differently. I’m tired. And there are many people who feel like that.” He added that politics should not be something to be ashamed of, but a noble service to the people. “If some people have given politics a bad name, some of us must give politics a good name by using it for what it should be used for — the service of the people,” he said. Responding to a question on what the ADC would do differently, Abdullahi said the party is laying down new rules to ensure transparency, accountability, and internal democracy. “ADC will play by new rules we are setting for ourselves now. ADC will be the party that is governed by its own membership. ADC is not going to have its elected officials being overlords over the party,” he said. He drew inspiration from the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) during the Second Republic, recalling how governors in the party were ideologically committed to providing free education regardless of their individual performance. “If you were a UPN governor, no matter how useless you were, you knew you would do free education. That happened in this country. So can we begin to look back into our own history and see what we can learn?” he added. Abdullahi maintained that the ADC is building a platform for those committed to reforming politics and serving the people with integrity.