The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fired the first major shot ahead of the 2027 general elections, kicking off a nationwide membership registration drive — with a bold declaration that it is set to take over power.
At the colourful launch in Abuja on Thursday, former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, confidently declared that the party is laying the foundation to form the next government.
“I assure you that in 2027, ADC will form the government and this is the foundation we are laying today,” Mark said to loud applause from party leaders and supporters.
The event brought together key figures including Registration Committee Chairman, Alhaji Imam Ibrahim; digital platform lead, Aisha Yesufu; and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Mark warned against the shady practices common in other parties where membership cards are allegedly hoarded to manipulate figures.
“Our cards will not be kept in rooms. They will be given to our members,” he said, stressing that membership would not be based on favoritism.
“Whether you are our friend or our enemy, as long as you want to register and abide by our rules, we will give you our card,” he added.
To avoid technical glitches and exclusion, the ADC unveiled a hybrid registration system — combining manual and digital platforms.
Alhaji Imam Ibrahim explained that the party opted for a web-based application instead of relying solely on a website or mobile app, citing concerns over crashes and limited internet access.
“We are going to give each state 50,000 cards from today. We want manual registration to go alongside online registration because we don’t want to disenfranchise anybody,” he said.
Digital activist Aisha Yesufu assured members that the online platform is seamless and secure.
“Within a minute or two, registration is done. It comes with a passport photograph and a QR code. At any time, you can verify the person’s details,” she explained.
She added that the system uses voters’ identification numbers to authenticate members, ensuring credibility and eliminating fake entries.
But while Mark talked tough about 2027 victory, Aregbesola sounded a note of caution, warning party leaders not to inflate membership figures for show.
In a keynote address titled ‘A Register of Conviction, Not Convenience,’ he blasted political parties that pad their registers with “phantom names.”
“A party of ghosts cannot win elections. A party of ghosts cannot govern,” Aregbesola warned.
He urged ADC members to build a disciplined and credible base, insisting that the integrity of the register would determine the party’s moral authority.
With the registration drive now underway across all states, ADC leaders say the exercise marks the beginning of what they describe as a serious grassroots movement aimed at capturing power in 2027.
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