ADC Targets 2.3 Million Members in Delta, Vows to Break APC, PDP Dominance

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to register 2.3 million members in Delta State, signalling a bold attempt to redraw the state’s political map ahead of future electoral contests and challenge the longstanding dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at the weekend in Asaba during the inauguration of the ADC Membership Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee for Delta State, a national member of the committee, Professor Festus Arunaye, said the mass registration drive is central to the party’s strategy of deepening grassroots participation and offering what he described as “genuine dividends of democracy” to the people.

According to Arunaye, the target reflects the ADC’s growing confidence in a highly competitive political terrain where established parties have traditionally enjoyed superior structures, funding, and entrenched networks. He insisted, however, that the ADC is deliberately positioning itself differently — as a people-driven platform with strict internal discipline.

“ADC is a party of the masses. No individual, no matter how wealthy or influential, is allowed to hijack the party,” Arunaye declared.

A New Political Push in Delta

Delta State has long been regarded as a stronghold of dominant political parties, with opposition movements often struggling to sustain momentum beyond election cycles. The ADC’s plan to register over two million members is therefore being interpreted by observers as one of the most aggressive membership mobilisation efforts in the state’s recent political history.

Analysts who spoke to Akahi News say the move suggests that the party is banking on voter fatigue with traditional political structures, particularly among youths and first-time voters seeking alternatives.

Arunaye noted that the registration exercise would be conducted through both electronic and physical platforms, making it accessible to residents across urban centres and rural communities. Prospective members, he added, would pay a token ₦500 registration fee, which the party says is intended to support logistics rather than serve as a barrier to participation.

Unity, Not Factionalism

Addressing concerns about internal wrangling — a problem that has weakened several emerging political parties in Nigeria — Arunaye dismissed claims of divisions within the ADC in Delta State. He maintained that the party remains united and focused on its expansion drive.

“There are no factions in ADC Delta. What we have is a shared vision and collective resolve to offer the people a credible alternative,” he said.

This emphasis on unity, political watchers note, may be a strategic attempt to reassure potential defectors from the APC and PDP who often cite internal crises as a deterrent to switching parties.

Grassroots Mobilisation Underway

At a stakeholders’ meeting held alongside the inauguration, registration materials — including ADC membership booklets, party flags, branded face caps, and Nigerian flags — were formally distributed to local government coordinators. The materials were presented by Mr George Timinimi, a member of the party’s transition committee, to facilitate door-to-door mobilisation across the state.

Party officials say the focus will be on ward-level engagement, community meetings, and youth outreach programmes, as the ADC seeks to entrench itself beyond elite politics.

Implications for Delta Politics

Political analysts believe that while the target of 2.3 million members is ambitious, its success could significantly alter Delta’s political dynamics if matched with strong organisational discipline and credible candidates.

A political sociologist told Akahi News that mass registration alone is not enough. “The real test will be whether the ADC can translate numbers into effective grassroots structures and electoral mobilisation,” he said.

Nevertheless, the announcement has already sparked conversations across the state, particularly among politically disengaged citizens who see the development as an opportunity to re-enter the democratic process.

As Nigeria’s political realignments continue ahead of future elections, the ADC’s move in Delta State underscores a broader trend of smaller parties attempting to capitalise on public dissatisfaction with the political status quo.

Whether the party can sustain the momentum and convert its membership drive into electoral success remains to be seen. For now, however, the ADC has firmly signalled its intention to be more than a fringe player in Delta politics.

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Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.