By CHARLES IWUOHA

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has signed a Memorandum of understanding with the coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) to build a viable, resilient, people-oriented political party.

The political party said for the last 25 years, the Nigerian democracy has continued to struggle.

ADC National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, said in his address at the event held Friday in Abuja: ?For the last 25 years, our democracy has continued to struggle. This has given us in ADC serious concern, as elections after elections have continued to produce very uncomplimentary outcomes, which have affected the quality of governance.

?This has manifested in different ways and affected the health and general well-being of our people and the country. Our country, Nigeria, seems to be a state at war with itself.

?Young men and women have continued to desert the country, not only to Europe, America, and Asia but also across other countries in Africa.Businesses and investors have also joined the exodus. Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world.

?As a transformational political party, we set up a study group to dissect why, in spite of the many brilliant individuals in the country, we are getting the wrong end of democratic governance.

?Top on our findings is that the political party has continued to constitute the weakest link in the chain of the democratic system in Nigeria. As is well known, the strength of any system is determined by its weakest link.

?Therefore, my dear compatriots, in coming together today, we must be open-minded. Our collaborations, coalitions, and merger conversations must resolve this burning issue and great burden.

?We should see what we have come here to do as not just building a party organization to take over power, as we have seen that such power-grabbing has led our country nowhere.

?Nigeria is fast becoming a desert as far as investment is concerned and a dungeon in terms of criminal activity and corruption.

?Therefore, with a very warm handshake, we welcome the members of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), justice group, and farmers club of Africa as they join us in an effort to build a viable, resilient, people-centered political party that will stand the test of time.

?Our work in this regard is only continuing, but this time with renewed vigour. Collectively, we are going to move around to bring all patriotic progressive groups, members of civil societies, and political parties into one democratic redemption accord to leverage our country, Nigeria, and Africa.

?As we sign our MOU to work together, we must commit ourselves to the essential disciplines that promote harmony, development, innovation, and creativity in leadership.

?We must also commit ourselves to building selflessly for God and humanity so that our nation will arise, shine, and regain its lost glory and influence in Africa and the global space.

?Today is not for long talks but actions. We shall, therefore, aggregate ourselves into critical committees to move around Nigeria and work hard to build a grand coalition of the finest of our people?Nigerians who are desirous of the change we advocate.

?I have no doubt that in less than three months, we will be able to get volunteers and over 20 million willing members who are ready to stand up and be counted.

?Our goal is to build a self-sustaining party with over 20 million members willing to pay their monthly membership dues of Five Hundred Naira (N500) and whose interests are not about self but Nigeria.

This will be a continuous exercise until we have accommodated all other groups. You are also aware that we are in touch with some other political parties and shall be conducting congresses and national conventions within the next few months.

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