The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified efforts to strengthen its political presence in Lagos State, as candidates, aspirants and party leaders converged at a meeting organised by the sociopolitical movement, THE REFORMERS, to develop a common strategy ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

At the convergence, held at Diamond International Centre, Lagos, Deputy Director-General (Operations) of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign, Ralph Okey Nwosu, challenged party members to close ranks and work together to wrest political power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nwosu, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, in a statement issued by the movement’s spokesperson, Alhaji Muhammed Emiabata, described the meeting as an opportunity for the ADC to build unity and take advantage of what he characterised as the APC’s growing unpopularity.

The Deputy Director-General urged party leaders and candidates to put aside their differences, insisting that a united front would be critical to the party’s chances of success at the polls.

“I have come to light the fire of Operation BRING DOWN THE LAGOS STRONGHOLD. Power must change hands in Lagos,” he declared, drawing applause from participants.

Nwosu added that the ADC could replicate previous political successes, citing the political legacy of the late Shehu Yar’Adua, while urging party members to work towards victory for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.in the 2027 Presidential Election.

Nwosu also criticised the Federal Government’s policies, arguing that economic hardship had forced many Nigerians into difficult living conditions and desperate survival strategies, noting that people sleep in offices and only sleep in their homes for less than two days a week.

He expressed concern over alleged food adulteration and the use of dangerous chemicals to preserve agricultural produce, linking such practices to public health risks.

“People sleep in offices and only sleep in their homes for less than two days a week. They are compelled to engage in all sorts of illicit and demeaning survival acts.

“Perhaps this is why people also engage more in all sorts of product faking and dangerous chemical preservation of farm products that is sending many to their early graves. Even more deaths are being recorded during this period. I am ashamed of this government,” he said.

The campaign official further expressed optimism that Nigerians would experience relief within the first few months of an ADC-led administration under Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking at the event, guest speaker and veteran journalist, Chief Onita Coker, urged ADC candidates to adopt innovative and cost-effective publicity strategies rather than depend on conventional campaign methods associated with the ruling party.

Coker, a former editor at Daily Times and Publisher of Today’s Choice Magazine, warned candidates against building their campaigns around publicity approaches that might not suit their circumstances.

He presented strategies for generating widespread public awareness and attracting voters despite limited campaign funds.

Earlier, the coordinator of THE REFORMERS, Pastor (Dr.) Kayode Jacobs, pledged the movement’s support for ADC candidates through research, strategic planning and data-driven campaign interventions.

Jacobs said the movement’s research and strategy team would provide candidates with polling data, winning statistics and roadmaps designed to improve their electoral prospects.

“We are not just a support group, we are a consciousness. We will give you the path to victory and the strategies to demystify and demobilize their rigging machine” he said.

The gathering attracted the ADC National Chief Whip, Elder Festus Igbinoba; the Lagos State chairman of the party, Hon. George Ashiru; and other party leaders and stakeholders from the state’s 20 local government areas.

A major highlight of the convergence was the offering of Christian and Islamic prayers for the candidates, the party and Nigeria.

According to the organisers, the meeting marked the first major public initiative by THE REFORMERS to bring ADC candidates and party stakeholders together around a shared political strategy in Lagos.