Leaders of opposition parties in Ebonyi State including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Young People’s Party (YPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have commenced merger process with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The leaders and other stakeholders of the opposition parties commenced the process at an inaugural coalition stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki, at the weekend.

Some leaders of the opposition parties that attended the meeting included former Minister of State for Health, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, who was a governorship aspirant of LP in the 2023 general election.

Others are former House of Representatives member and 2023 senatorial candidate of LP in the state, Chief Linus Okorie, former chairman of PDP in the state, Silas Onu, 2023 governorship candidate of YPP, Sunday Opoke, former Deputy National Secretary of APGA, Chief Jerry Obasi among others.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at the meeting, the 2023 senatorial candidate of LP, Ebonyi South senatorial zone, Chief Linus Okorie, said ADC will rule Nigeria in 2027.

He said the party was out to fight for the betterment of Nigerians through democracy. He opined that the leaders of the opposition parties in the state came together to form a common front and work with Nigerians on how to do what they want.

“We are out to fight for the betterment of Nigeria through democracy. We are converging to step on anybody, to castigate anybody, to attack anybody.

“We are here to talk about how to come together and work with Nigerians on how to do what they want.

“We are the coalition leaders who came from Abuja and we can’t do it alone. We have to come and inform you, seek your opinion and show you the guideline.

“ADC will rule Nigeria by the grace of God and by the support of everyone. And that is true, it is not by abuse, it is not by attack, it is by content of ideas and then superior application of intellect and of course the mission and vision which our manifesto will manifest and we will implement it,” he said.

Okoro announced that a day would be set aside to unveil ADC in the state and urged stakeholders of the party to continue to work hard for the party to ensure its success in the 2027 general election.

The state chairman of the party, Mrs. Jenifer Adibe, said ADC was recording mass movement by the people of the state because of its principles of inclusivity for a better Ebonyi State. “The ADC is accountable; we are committed to transparency and good governance. We will make sure that we have a good number. ADC in Ebonyi State will deliver at least three million votes in the 2027 general election and we are ready to do it.” (Daily Sun, excluding headline)