Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Plateau State, Mrs Hanatu Gagara, has thrown her weight behind the coalition of other political parties with the ADC.
Gagara, on Thursday in Jos, described the unveiling of the coalition on Wednesday as a historic and commendable event that will continue to reverberate in the annals of history.
The visibly elated chairman said that the development was a result of many years of diligence, perseverance, commitment and hard work of ADC stakeholders.
“This party started about 20 years ago, and until recently, only one person, the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has been funding and taking care of the party.
“Our former national chairman and others have shown incredible dedication, and we all must continue in that spirit.
“It wasn’t easy for him at all, so seeing so many people coming in is something I’m genuinely happy about,” she stated.
She chided the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Dumebi Kachukwu, for opposing the coalition that was capable of transforming the nation’s political landscape.
Gagara said that anyone who opposes the new development was simply anti-people and was averse to Nigeria’s democratic advancement.
“I listened to what he said, but I want to assure you that I am also a state chairman, and he was a candidate, not a current member.
“Since he became a candidate in 2022, I haven’t heard from him. I’ve been in the party for 17 years, so I’m not new here. Naturally, I know what is happening within the party.
“When the coalition came about 18 months ago, we were part of the negotiations and discussions. So, for anyone to claim that the state chairmen were not involved, it’s simply not true.
“We were involved right from the beginning, attending all the meetings and discussions. To say otherwise is misleading,” she explained.
Plateau ADC chairman emphasised that the main goal of the party was not just to grab power but to move this country forward.
According to her, the excruciating pains Nigerians were going through under the current administration spurred them into action.
“We felt that coming together as a united team would enable us to make a real difference. If power comes our way, we won’t reject it, but it’s not the primary goal.
“ADC stands for the Rule of Law, and that’s something we hold dear. Nigerians are law-abiding, and when a law is established, people generally follow it.
“When things go wrong, it’s because laws are not properly enforced. So, when new members come in, we will guide them on how to align with our ideology, and I believe they will follow our lead.
“Everyone will be treated equally. This is a party where we welcome anyone with like-minded ideology.
“For those that are on the fence, I say: give it time. When they see what is happening, they will believe and eventually join us. We are just starting, but in due time, they will see the progress,” she added.
She encouraged all members to be patient and to work hard, saying it was through hard work that they had gotten this far.