By Roy Ofori, African Heritage – Global Affairs Editor
06 September 2025 – The African Democratic Congress – Diaspora Network (ADC-DN) has taken bold steps to consolidate its position as the “7th Geopolitical Zone” of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following a well-attended Strategic Setting Meeting held virtually on Saturday, 6 September 2025.
The high-level session, chaired by ADC-DN Worldwide Chairman Hon. Dr. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, brought together an impressive lineup of Diaspora leaders and continental representatives. Notable participants included: Hon. Rose Rahila Adamu (Deputy Chairman/Woman Leader), Chief Amb. Toni Tuklan (Secretary), MacGodwin Iweajunwa (Director of Communication/Publicity Secretary), Barr. Favour Obi (Legal Adviser/Gender Compliance Officer). From the ADC-DN Africa are Dr. Fatoye Olufemi (Chairman), Chief Calistus Elozieuwa (Deputy Chairman), Mr. Felix Adeyemi (Treasurer), Dr. Oscar Prince Ugo (General Secretary), and Chief Isaac Chigbata (BOT Leader) and Asias and middle East Region are Dr. Benjamin Chukwu (Chairman, ADC-DN Asia & Middle East), Prof. Elizabeth Ogboli Nwasor (Deputy), Dr. Anefu Ngbede Emmanuel (General Secretary). From the Americas are Chief Dr. Peter Mozie (Chairman, ADC-DN Americas), Mr. Jamil Gaya (Deputy), Mrs. Lilian Modu (Secretary General), Hon. Daniel Akeni (Organizing Secretary), Ms. Farida Hamza, Dr. Pat Obika (Continental Contact & Mobilization Director), Prof. Nick Muoneke (Director of Policy & Procedures), and from Europe are Engr. Rechard Akpikpi (Chairman, ADC-DN Europe); Solomon Egah Egheose (Youth Leader), Fiona Ngozi Akano (General Secretary), Rev. Hon. Adebowale Maximus Aderibigbe Director Media/PRO). Country Leaders in attend are Prince Oliver Nkuku (USA Chairman), Sola Fatoki (Secretary General), Edward Agbai, PhD (Canada – Saskatchewan Chairman), Sir Clifford Inimgba (Vice Chairman – British Columbia), and Bernard Fafila (Western Canada Coordinator – Calgary). Stephen Adeoye led the ADC-DN Board of Trustees.
Strategic Realignment with Party Transition Agenda
In a move described as both timely and forward-looking, ADC-DN reaffirmed Article 15 of the amended ADC Constitution as the legal foundation for its operations and unanimously endorsed the ADC Transitional Operational Guidelines (TOR) as its immediate framework for action.
“This is not just compliance it is collaboration,” one participant noted. “ADC-DN is positioning itself as a partner, not a competitor, in the party’s transitional roadmap.”
Key Outcomes and Forward Trajectory
The resolutions adopted at the meeting signal a major strengthening of the Diaspora’s political machinery:
• Diaspora as Political Engine: ADC-DN will continue serving as a think tank, campaign hub, and policy advisory platform — roles that have proven instrumental in past electoral cycles and public diplomacy efforts.
• Inclusive and Diverse Leadership: The network reaffirmed its commitment to youth, women, and coalition representation, ensuring its leadership reflects the diversity of Nigeria’s 20 million-strong global Diaspora.
• Membership Mobilization: A comprehensive membership revalidation drive will begin immediately, ushering in a new era of accountability and grassroots participation.
• Advocacy Calendar: Plans for town halls, webinars, cultural diplomacy forums, and media campaigns will enhance ADC-DN’s visibility and keep the Diaspora engaged in Nigeria’s democratic process.
• Institutionalization of Committees: Four new committees Mobilization, Governance, Advocacy, and Transition/Legal Alignment — will translate these resolutions into actionable outcomes.
For observers of Nigeria’s opposition politics, this development is significant. In an era when Diaspora engagement is shaping policies from Washington to Abuja, ADC-DN’s consolidation signals that the Diaspora vote is evolving from symbolic to strategic.
The adoption of transitional guidelines and creation of six geopolitical offices within the ADC-DN 5th Global zones ensures alignment with the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) while preserving the institutional heritage ADC-DN has built since inception. The upcoming Global ADC-DN Congress is expected to be a landmark event, giving the Diaspora a formal voice in party decision-making and setting the tone for 2027.
As the session concluded, ADC-DN’s leadership renewed its commitment to strengthening the bridge between Nigerians abroad and those at home. The mood was confident even defiant signaling that the Diaspora will remain a formidable force in shaping ADC’s future and Nigeria’s broader democratic trajectory.
African Heritage will continue monitoring developments as ADC-DN’s reorganization could become a model for how African Diaspora networks engage with party politics across the continent.
