Founding leaders of ADC step aside as opposition coalition eyes 2027 presidential race and national reform
ABUJA, Nigeria | July 1, 2025
In a bold political transition, senior figures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have voluntarily stepped down from their leadership positions, paving the way for former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola to steer the party’s coalition efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The move was announced Wednesday during the official unveiling of the ADC as the political platform for Nigeria’s growing opposition coalition. The event, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, brought together several heavyweight politicians and former public office holders seeking a united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Ralph Nwosu, the founding National Chairman of the ADC, confirmed the leadership handover, noting it was a strategic sacrifice to allow for stronger national leadership and coalition building.
“We all decided to resign so that Mark, Aregbesola, and others can lead us to the Villa,” said Nwosu. “When you look at the two of them and their commitment to this country, you’ll see that this is a new beginning.”
Mark has been named interim National Chairman of the ADC-backed coalition, while Aregbesola takes on the role of National Secretary.
Nwosu emphasized that the coalition’s vision transcends party politics, aiming instead to reposition Nigeria for global relevance.
“The ADC has always been about rejuvenating Nigeria and Africa,” he said. “This journey began 18 months ago, and we’ve had over 12 National Executive Committee meetings. A day like this shows we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria.”
The event drew a notable array of political figures, signaling broad-based support across party lines. Attendees included Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and a host of former governors, ministers, and senior officials.
Among them were:
- Victor Umeh, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Datti Baba-Ahmed, 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party
- John Odigie-Oyegun, former APC National Chairman
- Mohammed Abubakar, ex-Inspector General of Police
Also present were former Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Gabriel Suswam, Aminu Tambuwal, and Abdulfattah Ahmed, alongside legal and legislative veterans such as Abubakar Malami, Babachir Lawal, Senator Dino Melaye, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Suleiman Nazif.
The coalition, which has been under discussion for over a year, aims to rally a broad base of Nigerians around shared goals of governance reform, institutional accountability, economic recovery, and democratic deepening.
With David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola now at the helm, the ADC is positioning itself as the nucleus of a larger opposition alliance. As Nigeria’s political atmosphere begins to shift ahead of the 2027 elections, all eyes will be on how this coalition navigates internal dynamics, engages the public, and builds momentum toward what could be a defining moment in the nation’s democratic journey.
