ADC urges Nigerians to emulate US midterms and reject APC in 2027 elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appealed to Nigerians to take lessons from the recent United States midterm elections, where voters turned away from the ruling Republican Party. In a statement released on 5 November 2026, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi argued that the American vote demonstrated the power of ordinary citizens to hold leaders accountable, and urged a similar rejection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s 2027 general election.

Abdullahi’s remarks were made alongside reports of a massive rally for ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in Sokoto. According to campaign director Phrank Shaibu, the gathering, which the party’s Presidential Campaign Council labeled a strong display of public outrage toward President Bola Tinubu’s government, featured large crowds walking from Sultan Muhammad III International Airport to the state secretariat.

Background

The ADC’s call follows the United States midterm elections held on Tuesday, which saw the Republican Party lose seats in Congress. In a statement, the party emphasized that the result in the United States demonstrated that in any democracy, the ultimate authority rests with ordinary voters rather than the president or the governing party. The ADC reinforced this viewpoint in a follow-up article released the same day, urging citizens to place their well-being above allegiance to any specific political party.

Within Nigeria, the ADC has attributed years of severe economic struggles, deteriorating security, and vanishing prospects to the government led by Tinubu and the APC. The party’s communications connect these issues to the APC’s leadership and disliked economic strategies, while presenting the ADC as a viable alternative with the slogan: Make Nigeria Affordable Again, Make Nigeria Safe Again, Give Nigerians Jobs Again.

The Sokoto rally, reported by ThisDay, was organised by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council. Shaibu observed that the vehicle procession required three and a half hours to arrive at the rally site, as many individuals left their jobs and routine tasks to participate in the march. He characterized the high attendance as an organic response from residents who are facing difficulties affording essential items such as food, transport, and fuel.

Why it matters

The ADC’s appeal targets a broad cross‑section of Nigerian voters who have experienced rising living costs and security concerns under the current administration. By invoking the US midterm experience, the party seeks to frame the 2027 election as a decisive moment for change. The rally in Sokoto, described as “mammoth,” signals significant public mobilisation for the ADC and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who is positioning himself as a viable alternative to President Tinubu.

If the ADC’s message resonates, it could reshape voter behaviour in the upcoming election, potentially eroding the APC’s support base. The party’s emphasis on economic affordability and security directly addresses the grievances cited by Nigerians, such as high food prices and insecurity, which have been central to public discontent.

What happens next

The ADC has called for massive voter turnout in the 2027 general election, urging citizens to use their ballots as “instruments of change.” The party’s campaign activities, including the Sokoto rally, are part of a broader effort to mobilise support ahead of the election. No specific dates for further rallies or campaign events were provided in the sources, but the party’s statements indicate ongoing outreach as the election approaches.

The next major political milestone will be the 2027 election itself, where the ADC hopes to translate its campaign messaging and public demonstrations of support into electoral gains against the incumbent APC.