ADC takes on Nigeria’s ‘broken’ party system, unveils sweeping reforms

2026-03-24 - 15:44

Pushes ideology, internal democracy, tech-driven membership, inclusion By Luminous Jannamike ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken direct aim at what it describes as deep-rooted flaws in Nigeria’s party system, unveiling sweeping constitutional reforms designed to strengthen internal democracy, sharpen ideology and modernise how the party operates. At the centre of the move is the argument that Nigeria’s political problems are not just about leadership, but about weak structures and poor internal processes within political parties themselves. With this overhaul, the ADC is positioning itself as a credible alternative; organised, disciplined and built on clear ideas. The reforms were presented on Tuesday in Abuja during the official handover of the ADC Constitution Review Committee report. The National Chairman, Senator David Mark, was represented by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, while the Committee Chairman, Etigwe Uwa, SAN, led the presentation. “Our party’s constitution is not just a document; it is the soul of our collective aspirations. It defines who we are, what we stand for and how we organise ourselves to serve the Nigerian people. “At this critical juncture in our national life, Nigerians are looking to credible alternatives; parties that are organised, principled and people-oriented. The ADC must continue to position itself as that viable platform,” Mark said. A major focus of the review is tackling long-standing weaknesses in Nigeria’s political parties, especially the lack of clear ideology and structure, which critics say has reduced many parties to platforms for winning power rather than institutions built on ideas. “At present, Nigeria’s political parties are often perceived as ad hoc coalitions focused on power acquisition and retention, largely due to weak ideological foundations,” Uwa said. He warned that the consequences go beyond party politics and directly affect governance. “Political parties provide the first, and often only, filter in the leadership selection process. If unsuitable candidates emerge from party primaries, the electorate is left with limited choices,” he said. To address this, the committee proposed a stronger ideological foundation, backed by a new constitutional preamble that speaks to national unity, justice, transparency and inclusive governance. The reforms also go deeper into how the party manages itself. A new disciplinary structure has been proposed, including State Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to replace the current system at ward and local government levels, alongside a clearer appeals process aimed at reducing internal crises. “We have also introduced a robust arbitration framework... providing members with structured mechanisms for resolving grievances, reducing the likelihood of defections arising from unresolved disputes,” Uwa said. Technology is another major pillar of the overhaul. The draft constitution introduces digital membership registration and creates a new Office of the National Technology Secretary to drive innovation, data use and electoral readiness. “Any party that neglects technology risks being overtaken by more agile competitors,” Uwa warned. In a bid to broaden participation, the proposals include 30 per cent representation for women and 20 per cent for youths, along with measures to ensure that persons living with disabilities are included. Grassroots structures are also being strengthened, particularly at the polling unit level, while provisions for virtual and hybrid meetings are expected to improve participation and reduce costs. Uwa said the committee drew widely from stakeholders, including party members, leadership organs, civil society groups and contributors from outside Nigeria. “We believed that broad-based input would give Nigerians a sense of ownership and strengthen confidence in the process,” he said. Even so, the committee acknowledged that the work is not final. “The work is not perfect, and there is room for further refinement. However, the process has begun, and we believe this framework, if adopted, will significantly strengthen the party,” Uwa added. Receiving the report, Mark assured members that the leadership would scrutinise the recommendations carefully, while stressing that rules alone are not enough. “Let me also remind us that no constitution, no matter how well crafted, can substitute for the discipline, loyalty and commitment of members,” he said. The party said the final document, once approved, will be made widely available, including in digital form, to encourage transparency and broader participation.