ADC South-South meets ahead of 2027, Odigie-Oyegun doubts arrest of attackers

2026-02-28 - 11:37

Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City Ahead of the revised timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the South-South zone of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the weekend held a leadership meeting in Benin City, declaring its readiness to contest and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The meeting brought together prominent political figures from the region, including former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, who announced his intention to run for president in the 2027 election. Other notable attendees included former Senate Chief Whip Rowland Owie, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Hon. Tunde Lakoju, Professor Pat Utomi, and former Edo State governor Oserheimen Osunbor, among others. Speaking at the meeting, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun said the ADC was determined to demonstrate that political leaders must remain accountable to the electorate rather than act as dictators. “With what is happening in our nation, an emergency rescue is needed, and as a party we will ensure that Nigerians remain the crux of governance,” he said. Odigie-Oyegun urged party leaders and members in the zone to work in unity and learn from one another to make the region a model for others. Reacting to recent attacks on the ADC secretariat and his residence during a visit by Peter Obi and others, he expressed doubt over the ability of security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators. “Imagine people bearing arms in broad daylight who were seen, and no one has been arrested up till now,” he said. He added that security agencies had alerted them to the planned attack, prompting organisers to abruptly end the programme. “We barely got to my house when we learned that the secretariat had been attacked by thugs bearing arms. If we were still there, we wouldn’t be saying what we are saying now,” he stated.