ADC political strength will face its first real examination during the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, according to Peoples Democratic Party chieftain Segun Sowunmi. He said electoral results, not public messaging, will determine whether the party has real political weight.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sowunmi dismissed claims that the African Democratic Congress is emerging as a national “rescue platform.” He argued that credibility in politics is earned at the ballot box, not through declarations or media attention.
Sowunmi said the Osun and Ekiti contests will reveal whether ADC political strength goes beyond noise and ambition. He noted that whichever election comes first will serve as a clear reality check for the party’s organisational capacity and grassroots appeal.
He also urged caution against early hype surrounding the ADC, warning that political organisations need time to resolve internal contradictions. According to him, unresolved habits within parties often persist when internal criticism is avoided, weakening long-term prospects.
The PDP stalwart further criticised what he described as early entitlement mentality among some ADC members. He warned that demands for tickets and positions before building party structure could stall growth and credibility. Such attitudes, he said, reflect poor political culture rather than readiness for governance.
Sowunmi stressed that serious political movements must first build discipline, internal democracy, and electoral relevance. Without these, he said, even well-publicised platforms risk fading once elections arrive.
His comments come as public debate intensifies over new opposition platforms and their ability to challenge Nigeria’s dominant political parties ahead of future elections. Analysts say the 2026 off-cycle governorship polls could shape alliances and redefine opposition strength heading into the 2027 general elections.
For now, Sowunmi maintains that ADC political strength remains unproven, and only performance in Osun and Ekiti will determine whether the party can move from rhetoric to relevance.
