Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised the African Democratic Congress to stand out in the Nigerian political terrain and avoid the same mistakes that have affected the smooth running of major political parties in Nigeria.
The former president spoke when he received the National Working Committee of the ADC, led by the Chairman, Chief Ralphs Nwosu, in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday.
He said in such a short period, the party had become a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s politics.
He urged the ADC to be prudent as a party and uphold its uniqueness of being a members’ driven party, where its members were the financiers of the party and not a few money bags.
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Obasanjo said being prudent, along this line, would help, in no small way, in preventing the party from toeing the path of past governments in terms of using “government money directly or indirectly to fund the party.”
He said: “I am happy that the party has become a credible alternative to the other two parties in such a short period.
“I have said it many times that I am not a member of ADC.
“I will, however, provide guidance where necessary.
“You have to make sure that you are guided by the vision of the party at all times and continue to accord women and youths the chance to participate without discrimination.
“The major parties, right now, have image deficit, discipline deficit, commitment deficit, and leadership deficit.
“Once you are able to ensure that you are not found wanting in all these areas, you would have conquered the major challenges of running an ideal party that will produce credible leaders; and there must be internal democracy.”
The Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress are the two major parties in the country.
The former president advised ADC leaders at all levels to focus on their short, medium and long-term objectives, noting that in the short term, ADC would have an impressive number of lawmakers at the House of Representatives and Senate, control a good number of state governments and also work in collaboration with other parties to form the right government at the federal level.
He said: “Once this is done, your short-term objective has been achieved.
“You can then focus on your medium-term objective.
“However, the only thing that can uphold a political party is morality.
“You can’t be a party condoning indiscipline.”
The members of the National Working Committee of the ADC thanked Obasanjo for choosing the party as the credible platform for his Coalition of Nigeria Movement and accepting to be a mentor and guide to the party.
Nwosu said the former president was one of the best leaders in the world and the most influential political figure currently in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
Nwosu described the thinking, which put ADC forward as the best platform, as divine, promising that the party would work very hard not to disappoint the former president and the people of Nigeria.
The ADC NWC used the occasion to present the Global Visionary Award to the former President.
The award, which is a globe-shaped effigy with fine gold etching and glittering hardcore enamel, stands on a metal and treated mahogany pedestal.
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It carries the citation: “We share in your passion and commitment to Nigeria.”
While presenting the award, Nwosu said Obasanjo “is a repository of history lessons and a man of destiny.”
The ADC chair cited the involvement of the former President in all the very significant developments of the Nigeria nation and the great works he is doing to promote democracy and the continent of Africa on the global stage.
Nwosu assured the former President that ADC would never fail in the project of developing a model and sustainable party that would place Nigeria on the global stage again as a formidable country and a preferred investment, tourist and sporting destination.
Obasanjo expressed his delight and urged the members of ADC to make sure that the party continues to stand out as an inclusive and democratic party, with high integrity.
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