Book Launch: ADC Leaders Call For Unity, Principled Loyalty, and National Rebirth
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) Political leaders, intellectuals, and stakeholders converged in Abuja on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, for the public presentation of “The Loyalist”, a new book by Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which sparked deep reflections on loyalty, leadership, and Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Speaking at the event, Abdullahi used the occasion to issue a heartfelt call for national unity, urging political leaders to rise above personal ambition and place Nigeria’s collective interest first.
“This country has been subjected to harsh and painful alternatives,” Abdullahi said. “Nigerians are waiting. Everywhere I go, citizens tell us one thing: you must not fail us.”
He appealed to leaders and supporters of the ADC to consolidate their efforts, stressing that the mission to rebuild Nigeria is bigger than any individual.
“If this gathering achieves only one thing today—bringing us closer together on purpose—then it is enough,” he said.
Providing background to the book, Abdullahi revealed that The Loyalist was written over six years and was initially conceived under the working title In the Shadow of the Godfather. He described the book as a personal and national reflection on power, political relationships, and the human cost of loyalty in public life.
“This book is not about one man,” he explained. “It is the story of Nigeria—as I saw it and as I lived it.”
The author also acknowledged the individuals who shaped his intellectual journey, including his publisher and early mentors, while emphasizing the role of literature in shaping conscience, empathy, and leadership values.
In his remarks as Special Guest of Honour, former Vice President of Nigeria Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described The Loyalist as a timely and courageous work that interrogates the meaning of loyalty in governance and public service.
“The book challenges us to examine our loyalties—to our country, institutions, and our moral compass,” Atiku said. “True loyalty must serve the common good. It must unite, not divide.”
Drawing from his experience in public life, Atiku noted that loyalty in politics is complex and must be anchored in accountability, transparency, and service to the people. He stressed that leadership requires courage, compassion, and the willingness to make difficult choices in the interest of national progress.
Atiku also used the occasion to call for civic unity, describing the coming together of diverse political tendencies under the ADC as a critical step toward rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.
“We stand at a defining moment in our political journey,” he said. “The convergence of different political traditions offers a genuine opportunity for national renewal.”
The event concluded with renewed calls for dialogue, principled leadership, and inclusive governance, as speakers urged Nigerians to see The Loyalist not merely as a memoir, but as a mirror for personal and collective responsibility.
The event was attended by who is who in ADC, including the party’s national chairman and former senate president, Senator David Mark; Former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; Former Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in 2023 election, Peter Obi; former governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi among others.
