The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a radical blueprint to curb public spending, promising to abolish unscrutinised “security votes”, restrict official travel, and reclassify the looting of public assets as a form of banditry should it win power in 2027.
The proposed reforms are detailed in “The Orange Book”, a 25-page governance principles and ethics document presented in Abuja on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
While launching the manifesto, Abdullahi attacked the ruling All Progressives Congress over its governance record, claiming the party had reduced Nigeria to a “Yoruba Nation” and promising the ADC would restore international standards.
What is central to the ADC’s fiscal plan is the elimination of single-line, unmonitored security spending. Under the proposed framework, all security allocations would face mandatory legislative approval, oversight, and auditing to prevent the diversion of state funds.
The opposition party also targets public-sector waste by proposing strict limits on official travel. Under its guidelines, trips must be essential and cost-effective, with bans on expanded delegations, family members, political associates, and estacode payments exceeding approved statutory limits. Additionally, public assets, including state aircraft, vehicles, and residences, would be restricted strictly to official duties.
The party declared in the document that “all forms of looting of public resources would be treated as a form of banditry.”
Beyond fiscal austerity, the document outlines a strategy for institutional reform and economic restructuring. The ADC pledged to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, legislature, and electoral body, whilst offering enhanced protections for whistleblowers.
Economically, the party committed to an inclusive, job-led growth model that tackles poverty and prevents cronyism.
“The ADC shall promote private enterprise while ensuring fair competition. The party shall eliminate all forms of monopoly and cronyism and guarantee equal opportunities for all,” the document states, adding that the national education curriculum would be restructured on page 9 to align directly with technological advancement and productivity.
The manifesto also promises to uphold the federal character principle, boost national unity, and expand political and economic access for women, youths, and people living with disabilities.