Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, and other key opposition leaders have officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The unveiling of the new coalition took place at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, where David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola were named interim National Chairman and Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
However, the move has sparked internal tension. ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, and other members of the party’s old bloc accused the new coalition of hijacking the party, questioning their capacity to lead.
In response, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, insisted the PDP remains united and warned that members undermining the party in the name of a coalition would face consequences. The APC, meanwhile, dismissed the coalition leaders as “retired politicians” who would be defeated again in 2027.
Opposition parties are banking on widespread discontent over Tinubu’s economic reforms to build a formidable front ahead of the polls. The adoption of the ADC as the coalition’s base — first reported exclusively by DIP CONNECT ONLINE NEWS in May — follows months of closed-door meetings.
In his acceptance speech, Mark acknowledged the difficult task ahead. “This coalition goes beyond gaining power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild Nigeria’s democracy. Today marks the beginning of what will be a long, difficult journey. But no price is too high to pay for our fatherland,” he said.
Mark accused the Tinubu administration of taking over democratic institutions and steering Nigeria towards civilian dictatorship, warning that the “infiltration and destabilisation” of major opposition parties was aimed at achieving a one-party state.
“We have never seen a government so comfortable with corruption and so dismissive of accountability. Governance has been abandoned while people suffer in hunger and poverty. Insecurity has worsened nationwide. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians daily, yet the government does little to stop it,” he added.
Mark also decried what he called the “emasculation” of the National Assembly, saying lawmakers have become “cheerleaders and praise singers of the President” instead of protecting Nigerians from misuse of executive power.
Founding ADC Chairman Ralph Nwosu said party leaders resigned voluntarily to allow Mark and Aregbesola to lead the repositioning of the party. “We decided to resign so that Mark and Aregbesola can lead us to the Villa. They will reposition the party and Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that the new coalition is about moving Nigeria to global relevance, not just about grabbing power.
Former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, who announced he resigned from the APC on Tuesday night, lamented Nigeria’s high inflation and food insecurity, urging the coalition to build a “people-driven movement” to reclaim governance. “It’s not just about changing government; it’s about changing Nigeria,” he said.
Prominent figures present included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Victor Umeh, Prince Uche Secondus, Datti Baba-Ahmed, John Odigie-Oyegun, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Gabriel Suswam, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Dele Momodu, Dino Melaye, Aisha Yesufu, and several former governors, ministers, and lawmakers.
But the ADC’s 2023 candidate, Kachikwu, launched a scathing attack on the coalition leaders, calling them “geriatrics shopping around for a party to prosecute their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition.” He accused them of being responsible for Nigeria’s decline and lacking credibility to lead any rescue mission.
A group of ADC members also rejected Aregbesola’s appointment as interim secretary, calling it unconstitutional. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Dr Musa Isa Matara, the “Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC” said they opposed the “hijack” and “imposition.”
In a swift response, Nwosu declared that those opposing the new leadership were no longer party members. “Anybody who writes or says anything against what we have done today is not an ADC member,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s Damagum reaffirmed the party’s unity and warned defectors. “If you undermine the PDP, we will take appropriate actions at the right time,” he said, noting that despite defections, the party remains strong.
The PDP National Working Committee had recently resolved internal disputes, including the reinstatement of Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. The party has insisted it will not join any coalition for the 2027 elections, but prominent figures like Atiku and Mark have continued to back the ADC coalition.
Reacting, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim said the ruling party was not threatened by the coalition. “They are retired politicians who put Nigeria in this mess. Nigerians won’t trust them again. Defeating them in 2027 will not be a problem,” he said.
He added that the APC remains confident of the people’s support and accused the opposition of trying to hijack future elections instead of offering real solutions.
ADEOLA KUNLE
