A Vision for Change: Ada Kate Uchegbu’s Journey in Nigerian Politics
Ada Kate Uchegbu is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview, she speaks about her ambition amid the crisis in the party, the chances of women in Nigerian politics and other issues.
Nigerians would like to know who you are, where you are coming from and what gave you the audacity to seek to be President of Nigeria.
I am Ada Kate Uchegbu, a Nigerian author, journalist and advocate for national transformation. I was born in September 1981. My dad, the late Mike Uchegbu, retired from SmithKline Beecham, and my mum, Dr. Ngozi Uchegbu, retired as a lecturer. I am married with a child. I come from a humble but disciplined background, raised to believe in justice, service, and the power of truth. Over the years, my work in media and civil society has exposed me to the deep structural issues holding our nation back; issues that go beyond politics and require compassion, intellect, and courage to fix.
What gives me the audacity to run for President is not arrogance; it is conviction. I have seen firsthand the pain of ordinary Nigerians: mothers who can’t afford healthcare, youths without jobs, and families displaced by violence. I believe Nigeria deserves a new kind of leadership, one guided not by power or tribe, but by purpose and empathy. As a woman and a mother, I understand that rebuilding Nigeria requires the same care and discipline it takes to nurture a family. That’s why I’m stepping forward to give Nigeria a mother’s touch, grounded in justice, unity and progress.
I got into serious politics in 2010 when I first ran for the Anambra State House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP and later on the PPA. I was one of the contenders for the PDP National Women Leader position in 2012 during the National Convention. I have always combined politics with my business, media publishing, and activism. Because Nigeria was clamouring for change, I defected to the APC in 2014 and passionately campaigned for the late President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2017, I was the only female governorship aspirant under the APC. So, I have experienced firsthand the challenges women face in politics.
The PDP and Its Resilience
Why do you still want to run on the PDP ticket despite its protracted crisis?
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains Nigeria’s most nationally rooted and ideologically broad platform. Every major political party experiences internal tension, but the PDP’s ability to survive crises for nearly three decades shows resilience, not weakness. I am running under the PDP because I believe the party still represents the values of inclusion, unity, and institutional democracy. My campaign is not about factional politics; it is about rebuilding national confidence. I believe that reforming from within is more impactful than abandoning ship. The PDP’s internal challenges are temporary; Nigeria’s leadership crisis is existential, and that is where my focus lies.
Are you saying that the PDP of 1999–2003 is the same as the present-day PDP?
No, the PDP of 1999–2003 and the current PDP are not exactly the same, but the foundation and vision remain. Every political party evolves over time; new challenges emerge, new generations join, and new realities shape decisions. What has remained consistent is the PDP’s resilience as a national platform that has weathered political storms and transitions for more than two decades.
The PDP of today has learned from past experiences and is better positioned to rebuild Nigeria with inclusivity, youth participation and gender balance at its core. The early PDP laid the groundwork for democratic stability, while the present PDP must now deliver transformation, especially in governance, security, and the economy.
So, in essence, the spirit of the PDP remains, but its strategy and leadership focus must reflect the needs of modern Nigeria.
Women in Nigerian Politics
What are your chances in an obvious race that has been a traditional male contest for decades, dating back to the First Republic?
That tradition is exactly why I am running. Nigeria cannot continue recycling the same political formula and expect a different outcome. The idea that leadership is a male preserve has failed us economically, morally, and socially.
My chances are not based on gender; they are based on the hunger for change. Across the world, women are leading transformational governments, from Finland to Barbados, because they bring empathy, negotiation, and long-term vision to governance. Nigeria is overdue for a mother’s-touch leadership that heals, not hurts; leadership that listens, not intimidates.
So, my chances are as strong as the people’s desire for something genuinely different, and that desire is rising every day.
The preponderance of Nigerian voters are women, yet their number has never translated into a significant presence in elective offices. How do you rationalise this, and what’s your message to female politicians?
It’s a paradox that half of our population, the women, hold the votes but not the voice. This happens because politics has been designed as a battlefield, not a marketplace of ideas. Many women are discouraged by intimidation, financial barriers and a system that rarely supports empathy and collaboration, qualities women bring naturally.
My message to women is simple: power will not be handed to us; we must take it with dignity and unity. When women rise beyond party lines and stand for humanity, change will happen.
A woman president is not just symbolic; it will be transformative. A mother in leadership will fight to end insecurity, ensure children eat before politicians feast, and reform our healthcare and education systems from the heart.
Challenges Faced by Women
You mentioned that half our population, the women, hold the votes but not the voice. Does it mean that Nigerian women are enemies of their fellow women?
Not at all. I don’t believe Nigerian women are enemies of one another. What we are witnessing is not hostility but the result of deep-rooted systemic, cultural, and structural barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in politics.
Many women in Nigeria face social and economic constraints; lack of access to campaign funding, political godfathers and sometimes even spousal or community support, which makes it difficult for them to run for office or vote confidently for female candidates. In addition, political parties often sideline women in their internal decision-making processes, placing them in token or ceremonial roles instead of giving them real power.
Also, the mindset that leadership is a “man’s affair” has been reinforced over generations. So, while women make up the majority of voters, they are still influenced by traditional and religious structures that dictate whom to support.
However, this is changing. Nigerian women are becoming more politically conscious and courageous. Once women begin to see strong, credible female role models, women who stand for integrity, competence, and empathy, we will witness a transformation where women actively support and elect other women.
Political Shifts and Challenges
Why do you think there’s an influx of key politicians from opposition parties to the ruling party, a trend not unique to this dispensation?
It’s a reflection of the weakness of ideology in our politics. Many politicians see parties as ladders to power, not platforms for principles. Until Nigeria redefines politics as service and not survival, cross-carpeting will continue.
For me, loyalty is not to a party logo but to the people. I’m not switching sides because I’m not looking for comfort; I’m looking for correction. Those who keep defecting will one day find there is nowhere left to run, because the Nigerian people will eventually rise above partisan games and demand accountability from everyone, regardless of party.
To what extent can you cope in a race and political terrain that is not just slippery and unpredictable but also heavily monetized, where the highest bidder always seems to win?
Political campaigns are often expensive due to the costs of media publicity, campaign offices, logistics, and grassroots mobilisation. However, like my male counterparts, I am fortunate to have a strong network of loyal supporters who believe in my vision and are willing to contribute in various ways. Moreover, as a seasoned businesswoman, I am fully prepared to invest in my presidential campaign. No financial challenge will be too intimidating when it comes to building a better Nigeria.
International Perspectives
What is your opinion on the threat from President Donald Trump to deploy his troops in Nigeria?
President Donald Trump’s position reflects a growing global concern that insecurity in Nigeria has gone far beyond a domestic issue. The widespread killings, terrorism, and religiously motivated attacks have created one of the most dangerous humanitarian crises in Africa.
I believe that America’s intervention, whether through strategic military assistance, intelligence support, or humanitarian engagement, is not interference but a preventive global security measure. If the situation in Nigeria continues to deteriorate, the ripple effect could spill across the Atlantic Ocean, threatening peace and migration stability in the Americas and the Caribbean. Insecurity today knows no borders. Terror networks thrive on global connectivity, and a weak Nigeria could become a launch pad for transnational threats. Therefore, U.S. involvement should be viewed not as aggression but as a partnership to restore stability, protect human lives, and strengthen democracy in West Africa.
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