By Jude Atupulazi
Mr John Nwosu, May 23, emerged the Gubernatorial Standard Bearer of African Democratic Congress, ADC, assuring his supporters that though the platform has changed, the mission and vision remain the same.
Nwosu replaced the former candidate of the party, Comrade Patrick Obianyo, who resigned after feeling overwhelmed by the weight of his earlier mandate.
Accepting his new mandate after emerging the overwhelming choice of delegates at the party’s Governorship Substitution Primary in Awka, Nwosu thanked them for believing in him and for their support, encouragement and solidarity in his quest to be the next Governor of Anambra State.
According to him, the journey was only beginning and though the course had shifted, the mission remained the same.
His words, ‘Our journey is only beginning. The course has shifted, for reasons most of you are aware of. What has not changed is our mission, vision and commitment to rescue our state.
‘I am very delighted, therefore, to formally announce that I have been nominated as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the forthcoming Anambra State Gubernatorial Election, scheduled for November 8th, 2025.
‘Indeed, there are ongoing strategic discussions aimed at positioning the ADC, as a unifying platform for a broader coalition ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election. This move is inspired by the growing perception that the major opposition parties have suffered ideological compromise and weakened leadership.
‘As we focus first on securing victory in the Anambra Gubernatorial Race, I earnestly seek your continued support, prayers, and active involvement to ensure a resounding win for our coalition and for the People of Anambra,’ Nwosu said.
He said the ADC remained open and welcoming to all progressive-minded individuals who were committed to genuine change, promising that together, they could lay the foundation for a political revolution that would gather unstoppable momentum ahead of 2027.
He thanked the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who supervised the event and told the party that the day represented another important landmark in its life.
’I invite all those who wish to see our state progress to join us on this sacred mission.
‘Anambra State, and, indeed Nigeria, deserve nothing less than accountable, visionary leadership that is free from the grip of political and economic cabals,’ Nwosu said.
Earlier, while addressing the delegates before voting, a spokesman of ADC, Mr Anayo Arinze, said Comrade Patrick Obianyo was initially elected, April 12, in a primary, but resigned on May 12, thus, necessitating the event of Friday, May 23.
He charged all members to go to work as they chose a new candidate, even as he delivered the message of the National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, that the coming election would be ”Operation deliver your ward”.
For his part, while earlier addressing the delegates before the voting, Nwosu, who noted that ADC had no structure in the state, said a lot of effort was required to change the fortunes of the party in the state.
Expressing optimism that things would work out, he praised the leadership of the National Chairman, Ralphs Nwosu, assuring that working together, the party would make it to Government House.
John Nwosu gave security, health, education, economy, market, social welfare, as the pillars his government would stand on.
He berated Soludo for looking into security only in his third year, even as he said the security architecture of the state needed to be changed with the introduction of CCTV with a control centre.
He also announced plans to return Onitsha to its position as the commercial hub of the country, while developing Nnewi and Awka, which he described as a glorified village.
The ADC Gubernatorial Candidate enjoined members to work hard towards the party’s success and promised to carry the party along in governance.
’I’m here to win and I plead with all of you to forget the past and come together. With determination, we will win,’ he assured, amid thunderous applause.
Comrade Patrick Obianyo, former Guber Candidate, in his speech, said he was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before him after winning the party’s nomination and decided to resign. He said he was however too happy to be handing over to a very capable hand in Mr John Nwosu.
John Nwosu was elected as the candidate of the ADC through a unanimous voice vote. Arinze said the voice vote option was chosen since the constitution of the party allowed for such if there was only one contestant.
Nwosu was formerly of the Labour Party but quit after he condemned the process of that party’s Primary Election.
