Former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has revealed that he was offered three ministerial slots by top government officials in a bid to stop the planned coalition from adopting ADC as its political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nwosu made this known during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where he officially handed over the party’s leadership.
According to Nwosu, the offer was a way to persuade him to reject the coalition and weaken the growing alliance of opposition forces. He explained that the ministerial slots were meant to benefit him and two other people of his choice. However, he turned it down for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy.
He said, “Some people tried to discourage us with promises of automatic ministerial appointments. They wanted to give me three ministerial slots so that I could take one and share the remaining two. But I refused. I chose the democratic future of Nigeria over personal gain.”
Nwosu warned against the return of a one-party state in Nigeria and reminded citizens of the sacrifices made to end military rule and restore civilian government. He said that rejecting the offer was a decision made in the interest of national unity and progress.
At the NEC meeting, Nwosu officially handed over the leadership of the ADC to a new executive team led by former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola. He expressed confidence in their ability to lead the party into a stronger position ahead of the elections.
Nwosu also described ADC as the “government in waiting,” claiming that the party now has 28 senators and over 60 members in the House of Representatives. He noted that ADC has grown from a small political party to a major force, with increasing support from Nigerians who are unhappy with the current administration.
He said Nigerians are tired of bad governance, and the ADC is ready to provide an alternative. According to him, the 2027 election will be the turning point, and the ADC is prepared to take over power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, as political parties realign and strategize ahead of 2027, the ADC’s bold move has sparked reactions from other political actors. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for instance, warned the ADC’s spokesperson against attacking the PDP, while maintaining that it remains the main opposition party.