By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday unveiled the RiseUp Naija Movement (RUN) at its National Secretariat in Abuja, with party leaders calling for a new generation of political leadership driven by accountability, competence, and active youth participation.
The event brought together party stakeholders, youth leaders, and political figures, who described the movement as a platform aimed at mobilising Nigerians, especially young people, to take ownership of governance and reshape the country’s political future.
Speaking at the unveiling, elder statesman and ADC chieftain, Alhaji Kashim Imam, said Nigeria’s challenges stem largely from poor leadership despite the country’s vast human and natural resources.
“This country is blessed. God has blessed this country with every resource needed for Nigerians to live comfortably. What is the problem? Irresponsible leaders. That is our major problem as a nation,” he said.
Imam stated that the ADC is committed to a different style of politics centred on inclusiveness and accountability.
“The ADC has a very modest programme for Nigerians, a Nigeria that works for every single one of us. What we have presently is a Nigeria that works for very few,” he added.
He challenged aspiring leaders within the party to commit to ending corruption and embracing governance focused on national development.
Imam also acknowledged the failure of older generations in leadership, urging youths to seize the opportunity to shape the country’s future.
“I’m ashamed of my generation. We failed Nigerians. We failed the youths. We are bad role models,” he said.
Former ADC National Chairman, Dr. Ralph Nwosu, said young Nigerians have consistently been responsible for many of the country’s global successes in areas including entertainment, arts, and academics, urging them to channel the same energy into politics.
“There is no campaign anybody should run for 2027 and beyond that should not be about awakening young people to take charge of the country,” Nwosu said.
Also speaking, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, blamed Nigeria’s political decline on decades of poor political culture and the absence of ideological direction.
“We are in the mess we are in because of the kind of politics we have played over the years. If we are going to get out of it, it will depend on the kind of politics we play going forward,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that the ADC represents a new political alternative, describing it as a party built around ideas rather than individuals.
“ADC today is the only political party whose identity is bigger than any single individual,” he said.
Abdullahi also urged young Nigerians to reject the notion that age alone qualifies individuals for leadership.
“Age is not a credential. Birth certificate is not a credential. It is the work we do that will determine our place in Nigeria’s history,” he added.
Launching the movement, the National Coordinator of RUN, Dr. Aliyu Audu, described the initiative as a “national awakening” designed to reconnect citizens with governance and promote issue-based politics.
“Today is not merely the unveiling of another political platform. Today is the unveiling of a national awakening,” Audu said.
According to him, the movement seeks to build a network of young people, professionals, entrepreneurs, artisans, students and community leaders committed to competence, accountability and patriotism.
“RUN is not designed as a movement of spectators. It is a movement of participants,” he said.
He added that the initiative would focus on grassroots mobilisation, leadership development, and promoting politics centred on solutions rather than ethnic or religious divisions.
“The future of Nigeria will not build itself. It will be built by Nigerians willing to stand up, speak up, organise, participate and lead,” Audu said.
The unveiling comes amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties intensifying efforts to attract younger voters and build alternative political platforms.
