By Deborah Ekanem
The African Democratic Congress/ Coalition has officially launched its Akwa Ibom State chapter, marking a significant milestone in the party’s journey to reclaim democracy and empower the people. The ceremony, themed “Reclaiming Democracy & Empowering the People,” drew together leaders, partners, elders, youth, women, and patriotic supporters.
Speaking, Sen. John James Udoedehe, Leader of the Coalition, Akwa Ibom State emphasized the importance of unity in the party to challenge the current “insensitive government.” He stressed the need for diverse choices for the populace, citing the dangers of denying opportunities for political participation and contestation, which can lead to social unrest and riots.
He noted that the ADC’s coalition emergence marks a new chapter in Akwa Ibom politics, with the party poised to challenge the status quo and offer a fresh alternative to the people.
Setting the tone, the State Chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Duke Dike welcomed attendees to the historic unveiling, thanking the planning committee and coalition leaders for their efforts. He described the ADC as a vision, covenant, and rescue mission to save the people from misrule. “We are not just unveiling a political party, but a vision to save our people from the current hardship and misrule,” he stated.
The Chairman criticized the current government for its failures, including Skyrocketing food prices, with a bag of rice becoming a luxury Nearly 100,000, unemployed young graduates, Misappropriation of local government allocations, leaving villages in darkness with impassable roads and no access to drinking water, embezzlement of public funds into private accounts of politician- Almost non-existent healthcare, with pregnant women dying daily due to lack of doctors, drugs, and equipment.
On his part the Assistant National Organising Secretary, (South South), Dr. Ben Smith drew parallels between the suffering of the children of Israel and the current plight of millions of Nigerians and Akwa Ibomites. He asserted that God has heard the cries of the people and sent the ADC party as a means of deliverance. “The ADC party is God’s solution, a platform where people can choose their own governor and delegates, free from the influence of ‘godfathers,'” he said.
In their separate remarks, the party’s youth and woman leaders, Edidiong Ekpe and Hon. Juliet Amba called on supporters to work together to bring positive change. They pledged youth and women commitment to the party’s progress and vowed to remove any leader who does not work for the interest of the masses.