The African Democratic Party (ADC) has opened and commissioned its secretariats in the five local government areas of Edo Central senatorial district with former governor of the state, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor describing the opening as a historic milestone for the party.

At the event, the former governor and former governorship aspirant, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, lamented the spate of insecurity, hunger and poverty ravaging the country and blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for inflicting pains on Nigerians.

Professor Osunbor said ADC represents a coalition of political groups united by a shared commitment to Nigeria’s welfare and security, which he insists the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed to guarantee.

He accused the APC-led government of neglecting its constitutional responsibility under Section 14(2)(b) to protect citizens.

“In Ekpoma here, people are afraid to go to their farms, insecurity has taken over, Boko-Haram said they don’t want Western education in Nigeria, they want schools to be closed. Today, they have succeeded, most schools in the Northern part of Nigeria have been closed, so Boko-Haram is succeeding in parts of Nigeria, we don’t want that to continue.”

He disclosed that the coalition forming the ADC has resolved to set aside differences and unite under one umbrella to take power from the APC in 2027.

He announced that the party would soon unveil its manifesto to differentiate it from the ruling party. “The character of people like us and those in power are not the same. Nigerians are looking up to us and we must remain steadfast. Nigerians must resist the temptation of money bags to sell their conscience,” the former governor stated.

Donor of the new secretariats and former governorship aspirant, Imasuangbon, popularly called ‘Riceman,’ for his annual free rice sharing, condemned the worsening hardship across the country.

“We, in the ADC are tired of what is happening in our country. Even during the military, it was not this harsh and wicked.” Describing poverty as the middle name of many Nigerians, Imansuangbon blamed the state of insecurity and hunger on the APC-led administration.

He accused the government of failing to secure farming communities, particularly in Edo Central. “Our people can no longer go to their farms. Esan land has been taken over by marauders and bandits.”

Addressing President Bola Tinubu directly, he asked, “Mr President, is this the kind of country you want to bequeath to our children and grandchildren?”

He urged Nigerians to rise to defend their fatherland and ensure the APC is sent packing in 2027.

Edo State ADC Chairman, Kennedy Odion, also decried the socio-economic hardship facing the country, insisting that time had come for Nigerians to walk the talk toward reclaiming the nation in 2027.

The ceremony was attended by several party stalwarts, including Edo Central senatorial leader Braimoh Okonofua, Christopher Ojeikere, Stella Alli, Daniel Asekhame and Tony Alile, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the party ahead of 2027 general elections.

The party leaders later converged for a senatorial meeting hosted by Imasuangnon, where free bags of rice were given to members ahead of the yuletide season.