Coalition says African Democratic Congress offers structure for political renewal, as internal rifts and dissenting voices challenge legitimacy
ABUJA, Nigeria |
A coalition of Nigeria’s top opposition leaders has selected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political vehicle for the 2027 general elections, citing the party’s openness to reform and its alignment with shared democratic values. However, the decision has sparked internal dissent and raised questions about the party’s leadership structure.
The announcement came during a high-profile meeting at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, among others, publicly aligned with the ADC. At the event, longtime ADC figure Ralph Nwosu handed over party documents to newly appointed interim leaders — David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the coalition, defended the group’s decision during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that the ADC was selected after careful evaluation of multiple political parties, which were found to be incompatible with the coalition’s principles.
“We examined our options across the political spectrum. Members from APC felt the party had strayed from its founding ideals. PDP veterans saw the party as a shadow of its former self. And Labour Party adherents voiced disillusionment. We agreed: to move forward, we needed a fresh start anchored in shared values,” Abdullahi said.
He added that while the ADC was not without flaws, its flexible structure made it an ideal foundation for internal reforms.
“We needed a platform that was open to restructuring. The ADC gave us that opportunity. It’s like clay — not perfect, but malleable,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about elite dominance in the coalition, Abdullahi emphasized that the movement is broader than any one figure.
“This isn’t Atiku’s project or anyone else’s. David Mark was chosen because of his broad-based respect. We’re avoiding the top-down model that failed in the past,” he said.
Abdullahi also took aim at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda has failed to address national decline.
“This administration is suppressing opposition. We’re slipping toward a one-party state,” he warned.
However, not all voices within the ADC welcomed the move. Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, denounced the coalition as “a gathering of Nigeria’s political past.” Also appearing on Politics Today, Kachikwu accused the group of illegitimately hijacking the party.
“These are the same old names—former presidents, former ministers—now claiming to fix what they helped break. Nigerians won’t be fooled,” he said.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the handover by Ralph Nwosu, asserting that Nwosu’s tenure expired two years ago and that any leadership change without a national convention violates ADC’s constitution.
“They came through the back door. They’re not members of this party. We will petition INEC and challenge this,” Kachikwu vowed.
The coalition, which includes members from the PDP, Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party, has reportedly been in talks for more than 18 months. Wednesday’s gathering marked their most public display of unity yet, as they attempt to consolidate opposition forces ahead of 2027.
Prominent attendees included Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Senator Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, Gabriel Suswam, Solomon Dalung, and retired Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, reflecting a wide-ranging alliance of political figures across Nigeria’s major blocs.
As Nigeria’s political landscape begins to realign ahead of the 2027 elections, the future of the ADC — and the broader opposition coalition — will hinge not only on policy proposals but also on internal unity and public trust. Whether the new alliance can withstand both internal criticism and external pressure remains to be seen.
