In healthy democracies, power is never permanent. It shifts according to performance, accountability, and the will of the people (God). That is why the unfolding political drama in Ebonyi State is more than a local quarrel; it is a test case for Nigeria’s democracy.
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged as the rallying point of a new opposition coalition in Ebonyi. At Citi Hub, Abakaliki, political leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and even disenchanted members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) pledged allegiance to the ADC. They hailed the party as the credible platform to challenge what they described as APC’s “one-party dictatorship” in 2027.
The atmosphere was charged. Dr. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, ADC State Chairman, delivered a passionate address: “Our people are suffering, our future is under siege, but together we will take back Ebonyi and Nigeria. ADC is the platform of liberation.” For her and her coalition partners, the mission is clear; that is to unite the opposition, restore competition, and offer a people-centered alternative.
But the ruling APC has a different story to tell. Its State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, dismissed the coalition as a hollow threat. In his view, Governor Francis Nwifuru’s inclusive governance and “sterling achievements” have collapsed existing opposition structures in Ebonyi. He insists that Ebonyi remains firmly under APC’s control and that “those forming coalition are working in vain.”
Thus, the battle line is drawn: liberation versus consolidation, change versus continuity. The question before Ebonyians is straightforward - who holds their trust?
Opposition leaders argued that APC has failed ordinary families, pointing to deepening poverty (bad economy), poor access to healthcare, and rising frustration among youths. APC countered that under Governor Nwifuru, the state is experiencing inclusive governance, stability, and visible progress. Both sides claimed the people’s loyalty. Only lived reality will separate rhetoric from truth.
Are children truly in classrooms without parents breaking under school levies? Can families afford healthcare without ruin? Do civil servants receive their wages on time? Are farmers and traders thriving under fair policies? These practical questions, not campaign slogans, will determine who holds Ebonyi’s trust in 2027.
For the ADC-led coalition, the challenge is to prove that unity is more than a photo opportunity. Nigeria’s opposition has often collapsed under personal ambition and opportunistic defections. If this coalition is to endure, it must build a credible platform with policies, candidates, and grassroots networks that resonate with ordinary citizens.
For APC, the danger lies not in the opposition but in complacency. The assumption that incumbency guarantees loyalty has toppled many “unbeatable” parties across Nigeria. If the party fails to continuously renew its bond with the people, its dominance could unravel suddenly.
As Ebonyi heads toward 2027, the political climate is no longer calm. The ruling APC promises continuity, while the ADC-led coalition promises change. The people alone will decide who to believe.
What matters most is that Ebonyians are presented with a genuine choice. Democracy thrives when citizens can weigh competing visions and hold leaders accountable. In the end, the real winner must not be APC or ADC but the people of Ebonyi and the principles of democracy itself.
