Muhammad Jibrin Barde a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has announced the launch of a new phase of nationwide party activities, including membership registration, revalidation, and congresses, as part of preparations for upcoming elections.

Barde, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Gombe. He explained that the mobilisation drive follows over a year of consultations and political engagements under a reform initiative known as “Sabon Tafiya” (new direction).

According to him, the movement brings together politicians from diverse backgrounds, including former senior government officials, with the aim of offering Nigerians an alternative political platform amid persistent security and economic challenges.

He said the party has circulated official guidelines detailing the timetable for the exercise, noting that congresses will commence at the unit level, progress through wards, local government areas, and states, and be concluded by the end of January. A non-elective national convention has also been scheduled for February.

“The focus now is to ensure that existing members revalidate their membership while new members are mobilised into the party,” Barde said.

Addressing concerns about internal cohesion, he dismissed reports of divisions within the ADC in Gombe State, stating that he was not aware of any factional crisis. He described the party as united and focused on strengthening its structures ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Barde further highlighted what he described as widespread governance failures across the country, pointing to insecurity, decaying infrastructure, agricultural challenges, and economic hardship facing traders as pressing national issues.

Commenting on developments in Gombe State, he raised concerns over public service delivery, citing reports of power outages and industrial action at the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, which he said had adversely affected healthcare services.

“These are the kinds of problems we believe require purposeful leadership and better management of public resources,” he said, stressing that the ADC is committed to promoting equal opportunities, quality education, and functional social services across Nigeria.