In a statement signed by Musa Isa Matara, national publicity secretary of the faction, the group said the party is not a “private coalition platform” that should be hijacked by elite individuals.
Matara said the party’s stakeholders, including state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators, were not consulted before the decision.
“We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain,” the statement reads.
“The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.”
On Tuesday, opposition politicians and some ADC leaders met in Abuja, the country’s capital, for a meeting.
The meeting was attended by ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, former senate president; Sule Lamido, ex-governor of Jigawa; Uche Secondus, former PDP national chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River.
After the meeting, the opposition politicians as the coalition platform and appointed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun governor, as interim national chairman and secretary respectively.
Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister of sports, was appointed as the coalition’s spokesperson.
The ADC national publicity secretary said the party’s stakeholders are not opposed to a coalition of parties but will reject “hijack and imposition”.
He added that the national executive committee (NEC) or national convention did not ratify recent appointments into the party.
“The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading,” the statement added.
“Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.
“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.
“Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections.
“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.”
