Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have arrived in Rivers State for the official launch of the party.
Some party supporters, who were at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, to receive them, expressed optimism that former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would run on a joint ticket in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the airport, they said they came to welcome Amaechi and other prominent party leaders for the official launch.
Mr Tele Bathram, a former governorship aspirant in the 2023 general elections, said he was hopeful of the party’s success if Amaechi and Atiku fly the party’s flag.
According to him, the party had made adequate preparations to gain control of all 23 local government areas in the state and achieve victory at the grassroots.
He described ADC as a broad coalition of opposition politicians and disaffected members of the ruling party, saying the alliance was formed to reshape the country’s political structure.
Mr Christian Akujiobi, an ADC supporter, said many residents of Rivers had experienced severe hardship since the emergence of the current administration.
He stated that ADC was the only viable alternative for restoring the state’s lost glory and called on citizens to support the party.
However, Mr Williams Ndamiete, a Port Harcourt resident, expressed scepticism about ADC’s prospects, saying the party’s efforts had been hampered by mistrust.
“Amaechi has lost support here in Rivers; he can no longer be taken seriously anymore; he abandoned his supporters while chasing national relevance. He may see a rented crowd welcoming him today but not committed followers because those ones have moved on,” he said.
Correspondents report that ADC has been adopted as a coalition of opposition figures and has continued to attract prominent politicians from across Nigeria.
Key members include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus.
The party’s National Chairman is former Senate President David Mark, while former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola serves as National Secretary.
(NAN)
