*Candidate launches OPC, Situation Room, says Nigeria needs leadership “ready from Day One”
Presidential Candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, Amb. Aliyu Bin Abbas, has approved the establishment of a professional Office of the Presidential Candidate (OPC), as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media & Publicity, OPC, ADP Presidential Candidate, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, made available to newsnen in Kaduna on Sunday.
According to the statement, the announcement, made in Abuja on Saturday, positions the OPC as an executive-style support system designed to coordinate strategy, policy, legal, security, media and diplomatic functions for the campaign.
According to the statement, the structure will be led by the Chief of Staff to the Presidential Candidate, with support from a Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Private Secretary and Director-General/Head of Executive Operations.
The OPC will bring together professionals across Political Affairs, Strategy and Research, Policy and Manifesto Development, Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Digital Technology, Security and Risk Management, Protocol and International Affairs, Stakeholder Relations, Youth and Women Affairs, Regional Affairs, Finance, Logistics and Medical Support.
A major feature is the Presidential Situation Room. The room will convene senior advisers to assess developments and produce a Presidential Daily Brief on politics, security, public sentiment, policy, legal and electoral issues, media narratives and emerging national risks.
The office will also deepen work on the *Aliyu–Ike 2027 Presidential Manifesto*. Focus areas include national unity, security, education, economic transformation, energy and power, infrastructure, industrialisation, youth development, women empowerment, regional development, innovation and welfare.
“We are not approaching 2027 merely as an election to be won. We are approaching it as a national responsibility for which we must be intellectually, institutionally and operationally prepared,” Amb. Abbas said.
“Nigeria needs leadership that is organised, competent, youthful, visionary and ready from Day One.”
The campaign stressed a clear distinction between the OPC and the broader *ADP Presidential Campaign Council*. While the Council will manage mobilisation and political operations, the OPC will provide executive coordination, strategic advice, policy preparation and direct support to the Candidate.
The office will operate on principles of professionalism, discipline, confidentiality, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
The announcement reinforces the campaign’s central message: *“TIME IS YOUTH O’CLOCK.”*
“Our generation cannot continue to inherit the consequences of decisions in which we had little participation. We must prepare ourselves to lead, to serve and to rebuild,” Abbas said. “This is about birthing a new Nigeria where every generation has a stake in the future.”
The OPC said it will engage youth, women, traditional and religious institutions, professionals, entrepreneurs, civil society and Nigerians in the diaspora.
On the election, the Candidate pledged commitment to a peaceful, credible and issue-based contest.
“We shall compete vigorously, but responsibly. We shall challenge ideas with ideas, policies with policies and records with records. Nigeria is bigger than any candidate, political party or election.
“Implementation begins immediately, with further appointments to be announced.
“Time is youth o’clock. birthing a new Nigeria,” the statement said.