Professor Oserheimen Osunbor has formally assumed office as the National Legal Adviser of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with a call for the party to address what he described as growing public dissatisfaction with governance in Nigeria.

Osunbor, a former governor of Edo State and two-term senator, made the remarks on Monday during a handover ceremony in Abuja, where he received the office from his predecessor, Peter Oyewole.

Addressing the gathering, Osunbor commended Oyewole for his contributions to the party, especially in handling legal matters and supporting the recent coalition that strengthened the ADC’s structure.

“I want to commend your role in ensuring compliance with all the processes that were needed to ensure a very smooth coalition into the ADC,” he said. “Your party, the ADC, is now our party, and I commend you for ensuring due diligence and due compliance with all the processes that were required to ensure that the coalition came about successfully.”

He added that ongoing support from Oyewole would be necessary due to his institutional knowledge. “Don’t feel distant from us. We will continue to count on your support,” he said.

Osunbor used the occasion to address broader political issues, stating that many Nigerians are disillusioned with the current administration.

“Everywhere, people are disillusioned to the extent that I believe that our democracy — and indeed the nation — is under serious threat of disintegration,” he said. “Nigerians are looking up to ADC to be able to move out of this APC-led government that has misled Nigerians with lies and deceit.”

He attributed rising poverty and growing insecurity to what he described as leadership failures and said ADC would position itself as an alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We are not in this race just simply to remove APC from the position they now occupy,” he said. “We offer credible leadership. We know that government should cater to the welfare, well-being, and security of the people, which now is very lacking.”

Osunbor also stressed that public resources must be used in the interest of the people. “The wealth, the resources of Nigeria must go to the benefit of Nigerians — not a few,” he added.

The ADC recently completed a coalition process with other political stakeholders as part of efforts to broaden its national appeal.