ADC unveils ‘Orange Book’ to guide members, public officers

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled a governance and ethics handbook, known as the “Orange Book”, to guide the conduct of its members and public officers elected or appointed on the party’s platform.

The document was unveiled on Tuesday at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

Abdullahi said the handbook sets out the political, economic and social principles that underpin the ADC and would serve as its governance framework and code of ethics.

He said the initiative was part of the party’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s political system and promote public service driven by accountability and responsibility.

“All members of the African Democratic Congress are expected to familiarise themselves with the content of this handbook, which shall serve as governance principles,” he said.

According to him, the document would also serve as the code of ethics for members and public officers elected or appointed under the party.

Abdullahi said the “Orange Book” was developed in response to what he described as decades of corruption, institutional failures and the erosion of public trust.

“With this document, the ADC seeks to make a clean break with the past and affirm its commitment to restore honour, order and accountability,” he said.

He added that the party expected its leaders to embrace service, humility, sacrifice and moral leadership, stressing that leadership was a responsibility rather than a title.

The handbook contains sections covering the party’s core values, governance principles, political and economic development, code of ethics, the “burden of completion” principle, and an oath and pledge for leaders.

Also speaking, the ADC National Legal Adviser, Sen. Oserhiemen Osunbor, said the “Orange Book” complemented the party’s constitution by providing more detailed guidelines on ethics and conduct.

Osunbor said while the constitution could not capture every expected behaviour of members, the handbook provided additional standards to guide their actions.

He urged ADC members and public officials to comply with the code, expressing concern over the decline of ethical and moral standards in the country, particularly among political leaders.

Osunbor said politics should not be treated as warfare, adding that the ADC intended to establish a higher standard of ethics and conduct in public service through the implementation of the handbook.

He urged party members to read, respect and apply the provisions of the “Orange Book” in their political and public activities.