By joshua 
To Avoid Premature Agitation in ADC
By Idibia Ojabo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has emerged as a formidable opposition party to the ruling APC, is deliberately fashioned after the African National Congress (ANC) of
South Africa.
From its inception, the ADC has distinguished itself as one of the most organized
political parties in Nigeria, underpinned by a clear manifesto and strengthened by the caliber of individuals who came together to establish it.
Men and women of proven integrity and
intellectual depth.
At the forefront of this vision is Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, a founding figure and leader of the
party. Following the party’s registration by INEC, he, alongside his associates, patiently and
diligently nurtured the ADC into a viable political institution.
His eventual emergence as the
pioneer National Chairman was both natural and merited, given his leadership capacity and
organizational acumen. A successful businessman turned politician, Chief Nwosu has
demonstrated decisive leadership, embodying the qualities of a modern Nigerian political
leader.
A devoted Christian and well-educated statesman, he is widely regarded as a man of upright character, free of malice, and committed to principled engagement.
Under his stewardship, the ADC has maintained a strong ideological foundation, anchored in internal democracy and transparency. Candidate selection processes have consistently reflected
openness, with no recourse to backdoor arrangements, thereby enhancing the party’s credibility and electoral competitiveness.
His energy, efficiency, and strategic leadership have elevated the party’s profile, making it an attractive platform for politicians seeking a credible alternative.
Hon. Jonathan Zacchaeus, a Registered Land Surveyor and GIS consultant with a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan, represents one of the party’s resilient grassroots pillars.
His life journey reflects a disciplined balance between opportunity and adversity; shaping a
character defined by courage, strategic thinking, and calm judgment. As an ordained servant of
God from Kenneth Hagins Bible Leadership Training Center, Abuja, his personal and
professional life is guided by a structured and principled worldview.
Drawn into active politics through what he describes as divine revelation, Hon. Zacchaeus
initially aligned with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In 2007, he contested for the
party’s primary ticket for Lokoja II Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly but was
denied the ticket.
Aggrieved yet resolute, he defected to the ADC, where he was warmly
received by Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the
party’s structure in Kogi State. He fulfilled this mandate while also contesting as the party’s flag-bearer in the same election.
The 2007 general election, widely characterized by irregularities at both state and national
levels, saw Hon. Zacchaeus unlawfully omitted from the ballot despite being the validly nominated ADC candidate.
Armed with concrete evidence, he pursued justice through the
Election Tribunal, which ruled in his favor and ordered a re-run. However, the subsequent
election process proved even more compromised, and he chose not to return to the tribunal, instead stepping back with dignity and resolve.
Upon reporting the outcome to Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu in Lagos, he received words of
encouragement that have since become emblematic of the party’s leadership ethos: “….Zacch
don’t worry, you may think you have lost but I tell you, you have not….”
This affirmation
underscored a leadership culture rooted in foresight and genuine concern for party members.
Undeterred, Hon. Zacchaeus continued to nurture and expand the ADC’s presence in Kogi State, building connections with voters and strengthening the party’s grassroots capital.
In both
the 2018 bye-election and the 2019 general election, he contested for the Lokoja/Koton Federal
Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. While he did not secure victory, he
established himself as a politically influential figure within the state, contributing significantly
to the party’s resilience and continuity.
As the 2019 general elections approached, the ADC became a refuge for aggrieved politicians
from other parties, particularly those denied tickets in the PDP and APC. Among them were
Victor Adoji from Kogi East Senatorial District and Abejide Leke from Kogi West Senatorial
District.
In the case of Abejide Leke, internal dissatisfaction within the PDP created an opening.
Recognizing both the political reality and the preference of the local electorate, ADC members under the leadership of Hon. Zacchaeus offered him the party’s platform for the House of
Representatives seat zoned to his constituency.
With the support of the party and the people,
he accepted the opportunity, contested, and won.
Following his electoral success, Hon. Abejide Leke further contested the Kogi State Governorship election, narrowly winning his Local Government Area. However, subsequent
developments have introduced tensions within the party structure at the state level. Assertions
of unilateral leadership and attempts to appropriate the party structure do not align with the ADC’s foundational principles of collective leadership, inclusivity, and due process.
It is important to emphasize that the strength of the ADC lies in its institutional integrity, not
in individual dominance.
The party’s growth into a credible coalition platform is a direct
reflection of the disciplined leadership of Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and the collective efforts
of committed members across all levels. Any actions that risk undermining unity or creating
avoidable divisions must be approached with caution and a renewed commitment to the party’s
core values.
The interim national executive is therefore encouraged to remain mindful of those who have consistently nurtured and sustained the party at both national and grassroots levels.
Recognizing and appropriately positioning such individuals is essential to maintaining stability and preventing premature agitation, particularly at the local level where political engagement
is most immediate and impactful.
Politics remains fundamentally local, and it is at that level that the party’s strength is most
visibly tested. As the interim leadership continues its work of consolidating a stronger national
structure and fostering a more disciplined political culture, the contributions of loyal party members must not only be acknowledged but institutionalized.
In this regard, individuals such as Hon. Jonathan Zacchaeus, who have steadfastly sustained the ADC in Kogi State through challenging periods, represent invaluable assets to the party.
His established grassroots base, electoral relevance, and consistent alignment with the party’s leadership underscore his significance within the ADC framework.
Notably, despite possessing the political standing to assert dominance, Hon. Zacchaeus has
chosen a path of alignment with the interim national leadership thus, demonstrating restraint, discipline, and commitment to party unity over personal ambition.
This posture exemplifies the
leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote. As the party continues to evolve, it is imperative that all stakeholders embrace a shared vision
anchored in unity, fairness, and respect for institutional processes. By doing so, the ADC will
not only consolidate its position as a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape but
also strengthen its readiness for future electoral success.
Media Contact:
Idibia Simon Ojabo
Lokoja-based Freelance Journalist/Writer