2027: ADC appoints Kashim Imam, Aisha Yesufu, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, others as chairman, members registration committee

By KEMI KASUMU

“Our party, the ADC, is a grassroots movement. For too long, the average Nigerian has been cheated, marginalised, and taxed excessively,” Imam said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appointed activist Aisha Yesufu and other party members to a 20-member Membership, Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, as part of efforts to strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The committee was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday by the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, who said the exercise would help the ADC establish a credible and verifiable membership base across the country.

Kashim Imam was appointed Chairman of the committee, with Yesufu serving as Deputy Chairman and Sekonte Davies as Secretary.

Other members include Nurudeen Abatemi, Yomi Arokodare, Remi Fanibe, Adljat Ojelade, Abeje Egwa, Abas Anas Adamu, Tanko Yunusa, Paul Lawrence Okorie, Esther Irebo, Abdullahi Maibasira, Stanley Ekezie, Festus Arunaye, Jibrin Sabo Keana, Mina Horsfall, Shehu Mohammed Koko, Gbazuagu Nneke Gbazuagu and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mark said the committee would harmonise existing membership records, eliminate inconsistencies and submit a 30-day interim report to the National Working Committee.

“A strong, well-documented membership is the lifeblood of any party, determining its legitimacy, reach, and electoral success,” Mark said.

“As we look ahead to future political engagements, it has become imperative to revalidate our existing members, register new ones, strengthen our grassroots presence, and harmonise our membership records nationwide,” he added.

According to Mark, the committee is mandated to oversee nationwide registration “to ensure inclusiveness, transparency, and adherence to party guidelines and democratic principles,” while also developing a grassroots-focused mobilisation strategy.

“This terms of reference include, but are not limited to: oversee the registration of new members nationwide… develop and implement a nationwide membership mobilization strategy… develop the e-registration platform along with the manual register in a transparent and seamless arrangement,” he said.

Mark stressed that the assignment must be carried out without bias.

“You must approach this assignment without bias, favouritism, or exclusion, bearing in mind that unity and credibility are the foundation upon which the future of the ADC will be built,” he said.

He stressed that the exercise was inclusive. “This exercise is not about exclusion, but about inclusion, strengthening, organising, and repositioning our party to meet the expectations of Nigerians,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Chairman Kashim Imam pledged diligent and transparent service, describing the ADC as a grassroots movement.

“Our party, the ADC, is a grassroots movement. For too long, the average Nigerian has been cheated, marginalised, and taxed excessively,” Imam said.

He said, “Our party, the ADC, is a grassroots movement. For too long, the average Nigerian has been cheated, marginalised, and taxed excessively.

“We will endeavour to ensure that the peasants, the ordinary Nigerians, the masses, the poor, and the downtrodden are invited to take charge, assume responsibility, and claim ownership of the ADC.

“This is what will make the ADC very different: that it will belong to the average Nigerian. Our party will strive to ensure that every Nigerian gets a fair share.

“This country is blessed and endowed with human and natural resources. We have no business being poor, and when the ADC comes to power, no Nigerian will be poor.

“I want to assure you, on behalf of all members of the committee, that we will not sleep, we will not rest, and we will work 24/7.

“You will see us mobilising and registering members in the creeks, in the deserts, and across the length and breadth of this country. This is a mass movement.”

Imam added that the committee had 30 days to submit its report, assuring members that work had begun immediately to mobilise and register Nigerians across cities, rural communities, deserts and creeks nationwide.