Former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot successfully conduct the 2027 general elections without the party’s inclusion on the ballot.

Nwosu made the assertion on Wednesday in Abuja during the ADC Youths Champion and Prospective Legislative Summit, where he also highlighted what he described as the party’s growing strength under its current coalition arrangement.

According to him, the ADC has made significant progress in recent months, insisting that internal restructuring and mass mobilisation efforts have positioned the party as a major force ahead of the next general elections.

“With the level of mobilisation we have achieved through the coalition, ADC has grown tremendously. Any attempt to undermine this progress is an attempt to undermine democracy itself,” he said.

He further claimed that the party has developed data-driven structures capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that millions of Nigerians are reportedly registering and expressing interest in joining the party.

Nwosu also expressed confidence that the current political order would change in 2027, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would be voted out.

He maintained that efforts to destabilise the party would fail, alleging that despite such challenges, some lawmakers from the APC were already defecting to the ADC.

Speaking at the same event, ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, called for greater inclusion of young people and women in party leadership, stressing that affirmative action provisions must be fully implemented rather than remaining symbolic.

He argued that the party’s constitution already guarantees significant slots for youths in elective positions, including governorship, senatorial, and state assembly tickets.

Rufai said the youth constituency is no longer seeking recognition but demanding full political participation in line with constitutional provisions.

The ADC has recently intensified its coalition drive and grassroots mobilisation efforts as political activities gradually build momentum towards the 2027 general elections.