Former AD chiefs join forces with Dickson again after nearly three decades, vow to protect democratic principles

Saturday's reunion of the defunct Alliance for Democracy marked a significant moment for Senator Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, as he reunited with former leaders and founding members after approximately 27 years, pledging to revive their democratic conversation and contribute to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

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The gathering brought together prominent members of the old AD political family, including Chief Michael Odurinde, a former Senior Special Adviser to the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, an Afenifere leader and founding father of the Alliance for Democracy.

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Dickson, who served as a founding State Chairman of the AD and later became its National Legal Adviser, stated that the reunion provided an opportunity for former colleagues to reconnect, rebuild old networks, and reflect on the journey of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

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He noted that the reunion was attended by many distinguished personalities who were his leaders, mentors, and colleagues in the historic journey of the AD, with Chief Michael Odurinde, at 86 years, being a shining symbol of dedication and service.

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Since they began working together some 27 years ago, the members of the AD rarely had the opportunity to gather in this manner, as life took them in different directions, but they remained committed to their democratic ideals.

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Dickson stressed that the reunion was not convened to discuss partisan politics or any possible alliance between the defunct AD and the NDC, but rather to reconnect and rebuild relationships.

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He recalled that the AD was one of the three political parties involved in Nigeria’s transition to democratic rule in 1998 and 1999, describing the party as an important part of the country’s Fourth Republic history.

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During his address, Dickson called for a minute’s silence in honour of departed leaders of the movement, including Chief Bola Ige, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and Chief Abraham Adesanya, acknowledging the sacrifices made by these men and women.

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The history of this democratic era, he noted, cannot be properly told without recognising their courage, commitment, and selflessness, and the reunion was an opportunity to honour their memory and reaffirm gratitude for the legacy they left behind.

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Professor Udenta Udenta, a former National Secretary of the AD, dismissed suggestions that the reunion was primarily about reviving the defunct party or forming an immediate political alliance, stating that the gathering was designed to reconnect members of the old AD political family.

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Udenta noted that although the AD no longer exists as a political party, many of its founding members and ideological supporters remain active in the country’s political and democratic space, saying "You said AD is a defunct party, but I’m not defunct".

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He contrasted the ideological foundation of the AD with what he described as the character of the All Progressives Congress, stating that the AD was a carefully constructed, civic-minded, and ideologically grounded political party.

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In his view, the APC lacks the ideological depth and moral clarity that defined AD, and many of those who moved from AD to APC did so in pursuit of political power rather than ideological conviction.

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Udenta noted that President Bola Tinubu was indeed a member of AD and performed remarkably well as Governor of Lagos State under that platform, but Nigerians themselves must judge the performance of successive administrations.

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He ruled out any immediate coalition between former AD members and the National Democratic Congress, saying the reunion was essentially a gathering of old colleagues, not a partisan political meeting.

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The Alliance for Democracy was one of the political parties that emerged during Nigeria’s transition to civil rule and was particularly associated with progressive politics in the South-West, with prominent figures including Bola Ige, Ayo Adebanjo, and Abraham Adesanya.

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The reunion gave members of the old political bloc an opportunity to reflect on the democratic journey since 1999, while paying tribute to the leaders who helped shape the country’s return to civilian rule.