By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has backed the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, over his proposal for a production-led approach to petrol subsidy, saying the policy would help address the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
The position was canvassed at a high-level leadership engagement of the party in Awka on Wednesday, where the State Leader, Hon. Geoffrey Ndubisi Nwobu, urged members to propagate Atiku’s economic programmes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Nwobu said Atiku’s message of restoring petrol subsidy through a production-led model was resonating with Nigerians, arguing that the approach would stimulate production and contribute to economic recovery.
He said the policy direction would also help restore economic prosperity in the South-East.
The State Leader’s position formed part of wider discussions at the meeting, which brought together the ADC national leadership from Anambra, the State Executive Committee, Local Government chairmen and officials, candidates and other party stakeholders.
The meeting was presided over by the State Chairman, Chief (Barr.) Ben Chuks Nwosu.
Nwosu, in his address, called for intensified grassroots mobilisation, particularly among youths, as well as the constructive inclusion of genuine support groups in the party’s activities.
He also urged members to intensify voter education and mobilisation around the ongoing voter-card collection exercise, while encouraging eligible citizens to follow the procedures prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The chairman said the party would continue to strengthen its structures across the 21 Local Government Areas and polling units in Anambra State.
Also speaking, former ADC National Chairman and Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Council (Operations), Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, said the South-East faced peculiar political and socio-economic challenges.
He said the ADC coalition and Atiku’s candidacy provided an opportunity for greater political inclusion of the South-East and broader economic development.
Nwosu urged party stakeholders to view the political process within the context of economic development, political inclusion and effective participation of the South-East in national governance.
A member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Barr. Godson Okoye, expressed confidence in the party’s preparations for the political contest and urged members to strengthen its structures at the grassroots.
The National Organising Secretary of the ADC, Prince Chinedu Idigo, assured the Anambra chapter of continued support from the national organisation and called for stronger coordination between the national, state, LGA and ward structures.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, the ADC candidate for Idemili North and Idemili South, Nnamdi Oluchukwu Ifebi, pledged the commitment of the candidates to the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts.
The meeting also reviewed the state of grassroots structures across the LGAs, with local government chairmen and officials presenting their perspectives on mobilisation, achievements and challenges.
The Anambra ADC leadership subsequently resolved to strengthen grassroots organisation, expand youth participation, sustain voter education and improve coordination among the party’s various structures.
The party also reaffirmed its commitment to the Atiku Abubakar-Rotimi Amaechi presidential ticket and the candidacies of its flag bearers for the National and State Assemblies in the 2027 elections.
