2019: New political party submits application to INEC

- A new political party known as the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has held its inaugural meeting in Abuja

- It is still uncertain if the new party has any relationship with the alliance being contemplated by the factions of the PDP and the APC

- The party members who comprise of politicians across the six geopolitical zones have adopted a logo depicting a hand holding a book

A new political party known as the ADP has applied for registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A new political party that could reshape the Nigerian political scene in the 2019 general elections has applied for registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This Day reports that the party known as the Action Democratic Party (ADP) held its inaugural meeting on Monday, December 19.

But it is still uncertain if the new party which was formed by politicians across the six geopolitical zones has any relationship with the mega party being contemplated by the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi and some prominent members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the inaugural meeting of the proposed ADP, which was chaired by a prominent politician from the north-central zone, Mr. Yagbagi Sani, members were briefed of the progress made so far in the registration of the party and what needed to be done to complete the registration process.

The meeting held at the interim secretariat of the planned party in Asokoro, Abuja and was graced by members – many of them, former members of the PDP, APC and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) – from all the geo-political zones of the country.

Member of the new party at the meeting also adopted the political association’s name, ADP, and a logo depicting a hand holding a book, according to reports.

While welcoming members to the maiden meeting, Sani said that some prominent politicians (many of them do not want their names to be mentioned for now) decided to embark on the current journey to save the country from the impending political anarchy.

He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have no doubt in my mind that we are all politically conscious citizens—desirous of a better country for ourselves and our people; hence we wasted no time in answering the call to be part of a movement that is meant to achieve only that.

“The political space in Nigeria at the moment can best be described as chaotic; this is for want of a better adjective. Wherever one looks, there is an overwhelming sense of despondency among the people.

“All over the news and opinion columns, citizens of Nigeria are yearning for a new political direction and hope in the present political manifestations.

“The reasons are not too far-fetched; take a look at any of the prominent political parties and you would find that they are already in disarray or on the brink of breakups.

“They are all neck deep in one form of crisis or the other. It is either they are battling a leadership crisis, a credibility crisis, or both. This is in addition to pervasive issues of mutual distrust and loyalty.”

The association’s chairman said the prevailing gloomy political atmosphere made it necessary for men and women to rise to the occasion and provide alternative ways forward.

“The electorate of today are people in search of a platform that is built on ideas and not individuals, a platform that is inclusive and not selective, a platform that is people driven as against money driven,” he added.

Yagbagi Sani also informed party members that in order for the association to conclude its registration process with the INEC, it has zoned all party offices and is hoping to fill them before the deadline and hold a convention after the registration.

He also outlined the arrangement on how all party offices will be zoned as seen below according to This Day.

The North-central zone shall hold the post of national chairman, national welfare secretary, national vice chairman, vice national organising secretary, deputy national women’s leader, assistant national secretary, deputy national treasurer with national vice women’s leader, national vice youth leader and three ex-officio members (two male and a female).

The North-west will produce the national organising secretary, national women’s leader, national vice chairman, vice national publicity secretary, deputy national youth leader, deputy national welfare secretary, national vice women’s leader with national vice youth leader, and three ex-officio members (two male and a female).

The North-east shall produce the national legal adviser, deputy national chairman, national vice chairman, national auditor, deputy national financial secretary and national women’s leader, national vice youth leader and three ex-officio members (two male and a female).

The South-south has the national treasurer, vice national welfare secretary, national vice chairman, national youth leader and deputy women’s leader with national leader, deputy national legal adviser and national vice women’s leader, national vice youth leader and three ex-officio members (two male and one female).

The South-west will produce the deputy national chairman, national publicity secretary, national vice chairman, national financial secretary and vice national organising secretary, deputy national youth leader, deputy national auditor with national vice women’s leader, vice national youth leader and three ex-officio members (two male and one female).

The South-east shall produce the national secretary, vice national publicity secretary, national vice chairman, national diaspora adviser and deputy national organising secretary, deputy national leader, national vice women’s leader with national vice youth leader and three ex-officio (two male and a female).

Meanwhile, Dr. Doyin Okupe, former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan has opened up about reports that he is about to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Okupe tweeted late on Monday, December 19 that he would never join the APC no matter what happens.

He said rumours about him joining the APC were false, adding that he would rather retire from politics than join the ruling party.