Major opposition leaders in the country finally came under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, July 2, after a rather debilitating period of indecision. With eyes on a strong platform that would be able to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, the opposition leaders led by Atiku Abubakar toyed with the idea of rallying under a platform free from the destructive disputes that had become the key feature of the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Initially, a part of the coalition under former Kaduna governor, Nasir el-Rufai, opted for the Social Democratic Party while another part canvassed the registration of an entirely fresh party in order to avoid conflicts with old members of an already existing party. But Atiku and many other leaders argued that there was no time to go through the complexities of berthing a new party and using it to get back to power in 2027. 

Notable leaders of the coalition such as Atiku, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi were present at the Wednesday, last week, unveiling which took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where former chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, handed over the leadership of the party to former Senate President, David Mark, as interim National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as interim National Secretary. 

The coalition is basically made up of members from the PDP and the Labour Party (LP). Some alienated members of the ruling All Progressives Congress are expected to join the likes of Aregbesola and Salihu Lukman in the days to come, especially with the groundswell of support that the coalition is receiving in the North where some party state chapters have collapsed their structures into the new party. 

Against the backdrop of the hardships and lamentations caused by Tinubu’s economic reforms, the opposition parties are seeking to build a coalition that would defeat the President in the next presidential poll. 

In his acceptance speech, the new interim National Chairman of the ADC, Mark, acknowledged that the efforts by the 2027 coalition to unseat Tinubu will be challenging. 

He said: “Let it be known to all that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Today marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long, difficult and tedious journey. However, it is a journey that we are prepared to undertake, united in our collective belief that no price or sacrifice is too high in the service of our fatherland,’’ he said. 

The ADC interim chairman stated that within two years in office, the current administration has taken control of key democratic institutions and is gradually steering the country toward a full-blown civilian dictatorship. 

He added: “The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective, to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options in 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party state. 

“We have never seen a government so much at home with corruption, a government that disdains accountability in all ramifications. A government more concerned with the next election rather than the survival of the ordinary Nigerians. A government so totally consumed with politicking that governance is abandoned, while the majority of our people wallow in hunger and poverty. 

“We have never seen this level of insecurity across the length and breadth of our nation. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will and on a daily basis. Yet, this ongoing tragedy has not moved the government to any action that would stop these mindless killings and stem the tide of needless bloodshed.” 

Mark stated that Nigerians deserved a government that would ensure their safety and make them feel secure in their own homes. 

He accused the APC-led government of undermining the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding heroes and affirmed that the coalition party belongs to all Nigerians. 

“This coalition is determined to offer Nigerians a path to security, prosperity, peace and progress. Coming from various party affiliations, we are united in our resolve to present a constructive alternative to the hardship, insecurity and waste that has become the hallmark of the current APC government. 

“As we proceed this day, we acknowledge the practical implications of imminent bye-elections and one state governorship election for some of our coalition partners in their respective legacy political parties. However, all of us remain firmly united under the ADC banner for the 2027 general elections and beyond,” he said. 

In his remarks earlier, the founding National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, said the party leaders voluntarily resigned to allow Mark and Aregbesola to take charge and lead efforts to reposition both the party and the country. 

Nwosu stated: “We all decided to resign so that Mark, Aregbesola and others can lead us to the (Presidential) Villa. We also approved Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as the National Secretary of the party. When you look at the two of them and their commitment to this country, you’ll see that this is a new beginning. They will reposition the party and Nigeria.” 

He noted that the opposition coalition was not about seeking power, but moving Nigeria to “global reckoning.” 

“ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. This journey started about 18 months ago, and we have had over 12 NEC meetings. 

“When we were consulted, we said we have also been consulting because we are a party that believes in coalition. A day like this shows that we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria. We don’t have any doubt in the man; we all have decided to resign,” he added. 

Though not too remarkably, some old members of the ADC have begun to resist the takeover of the party leadership by the coalition leaders. ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, and others have accused the new leadership of hijacking the party. 

They are opposed to the collapse of all structures of the African Democratic Congress as announced by the former chairman, Nwosu, to enable a new leadership to drive a coalition of forces ahead of the 2027 general election. 

Nwosu had issued a statement announcing the resignation of all party leadership positions to enable the David Mark-led interim executive take charge of the affairs of the ADC. 

The development elicited sharp criticisms from Kachikwu, the ADC 2023 presidential candidate who described Atiku and his co-ADC converts as “a bunch of greedy old men”. 

But the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mabel Oboh, on Sunday said the new coalition would wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress. 

Oboh, who stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital, said the coalition would reshape the nation’s polity from 2027. 

“The people who make up the coalition are those with proven political records that have the wherewithal to harness votes for the party in the 2027 election in this country,” she said. 

Also, the ADC chairman in Edo State, Kennedy Odion, said the coalition had come to stay despite some state chairmen expressing reservations. 

He said: “The coalition has come to stay and leaders have been appointed across the state though we have not had our formal meeting with the leaders to know the template for harmonization, which has also not been given by the national leaders. 

“For me, it is a welcome development and a new dawn for our party, a new face for Nigeria and we embrace it with all sense of responsibility because Nigeria was almost boxed to a corner of becoming a one party state. But with this new trend, Nigerians are now happy and ADC has become the bride of the nation.” 

The Benue State chapter of the party also dissociated itself from the claim by Kachikwu that state party chairmen were against the new leadership. 

The party state chairman, Celestine Orbunde, noted that the former presidential candidate was expelled from the party and could not have been privy to issues concerning taking over of the party by the coalition. 

“So, if the North Central Zonal chairman, who is from Benue State, is aware of the new order, why will Benue chapter not be involved. Benue State chapter of ADC is fully in support of the new leaders; the problem is that everyone wants to be carried along, whereas Dumebi, the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, was expelled from the party. 

The Delta State chapter of the ADC said Kachikwu was out to jeopardise the efforts of party members. The state chairman of the party, Austin Okolie, stated this in a media chat in Asaba. 

He said: “On which capacity is Dumebi speaking? Dumebi is not a NEC member, he’s not a state officer of the party neither is he a national executive of the party. He only ran election as a candidate and that election is over, even when he couldn’t visit Delta State, his local government or ward where he comes from. 

“He’s interest is just to jeopardise the party. He has not contributed anything to Delta State ADC and we don’t know him as our member in Delta. Maybe he’s working for some certain interests, which we know of, and his efforts will be in vein. I’m the Delta State chairman of ADC and Dumebi is from Delta State, yet we don’t know him as an ADC member in the state 

“He was only interested in the ADC presidential ticket and immediately he got it, he went home and relaxed. Now, because he heard that the coalition is successful, he is coming out to truncate the effort. The section of the constitution he’s talking about has been amended.” 

At this point, the most crucial matter for the coalition to resolve appears to be the emergence of its presidential candidate. 

In respect of this, former Vice Chairman of the APC, Mallam Salihu Lukman, said whoever would fly the ticket of the African Democratic Congress coalition in the 2027 election must earn it by winning at the primary. 

He noted that the party would avoid mistakes made in the past by both former PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, among others willing to contest the ticket of the party. 

Speaking on Channels TV, Lukman appealed to all supporters of the various presidential aspirants to join hands with the coalition to rescue Nigeria from the hands of President Bola Tinubu. 

He said: “Once the opposition leaders are divided, if by 2027 we present more than one candidate, it’s as much as granting victory to APC and President Asiwaju. So as much as possible, we must keep the opposition together, and in keeping the opposition together, it’s not about asking anybody to step down. 

“And I appeal to the Obidients and other groups to really understand that the ADC and the coalition are the home for them. And they should come, and let’s build ourselves together. 

“If Peter Obi emerges as the presidential candidate of ADC, we will all support him and strengthen him to overcome the shortcomings of the past. So, also, any other, if it is Atiku Abubakar that emerges, for instance, we will support him and strengthen him in such a way that he doesn’t repeat the mistakes of former President Buhari. 

“So I think these are issues that, as citizens, as Nigerians, we must be very honest and frank in engaging them if we are going to move this country forward. This is the kind of debate we want to have in ADC. Everybody will slug it out in the presidential primary, apparently.” 

Leaders of the party have identified some internal threats arising from individual ambitions. Immediate past chairman of the ADC, Nwosu, has warned that the newly-formed opposition coalition might collapse under the weight of clashing interests and political power blocs if not properly managed. 

Concerning the much talked about issue of presidential candidate, the coalition chairman, David Mark, has made effort to clear the air, saying the party has no preferred presidential ahead, thus stressing what Lukman has already said, that it would be an open contest. 

Addressing stakeholders of the ADC’s Kogi State chapter at a meeting in Abuja, Mark said the party would adopt a transparent process in selecting its candidates for the election. 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Peter Obi, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi— both members of the new coalition—have expressed interest in the ADC’s 2027 presidential ticket, each pledging to serve only a single four-year term if elected. Atiku Abubakar has also hinted at another run. 

According to Mark, “The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant. We have set out to first build a platform that would be attractive and acceptable to the majority of Nigerians.” 

The former Senate President added: “We are doing this because we do not want this great ship called Nigeria to sink. If we don’t rise now, they will sink all of us. I don’t own this party more than any other member, and I urge everyone to prepare to show Nigerians that ADC is a different party—a party ready to run democracy properly in this country. All Nigerians must come together and take ownership of the ADC.” 

He urged party members to set aside differences and unite: “We must bond together to build the party before we can talk of ambitions.” 

Meanwhile, the ADC has accused the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of plotting to suppress legitimate opposition under the guise of national security, following recent claims by a presidential aide. 

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the party said it had no intention of undermining democracy but was solely focused on rescuing Nigeria from what it described as the “irredeemable incompetence” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. 

The party’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over the APC’s growing hostility toward dissenting voices, questioning the ruling party’s apparent discomfort with opposition politics. 

His remarks followed a statement on X (formerly Twitter) by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who alleged that certain political figures were “banding together to overthrow an administration that has been the most focused, most transformative in our history.” 

In its response, the ADC dismissed Onanuga’s post as “irresponsible and defamatory,” warning that such rhetoric could be used as a pretext for a wider clampdown on opposition leaders and voices critical of the government. 

“Bayo Onanuga’s tweet is a textbook example of a political dog whistle,” the ADC stated, adding, “The APC-led Federal Government appears to be constructing a false narrative designed to justify a potential crackdown on dissent and to criminalise legitimate opposition activities under the guise of protecting national security.” 

Reaffirming its democratic credentials, the party said, “The ADC is not interested in truncating democracy. We are solely committed to saving the nation from the irredeemable incompetence of this government. And the only means available to us is the democratic means. 

“We are not soldiers; we are politicians. We don’t have bullets—only ballots. When the time comes, we will present our solutions and an alternative vision of the future to the Nigerian people and leave them to make their choice.” 

Abdullahi also accused the APC of forgetting its own roots as a former opposition party, adding, “It is a great wonder that the same party, which came to power as an opposition force, now appears to find the idea of opposition unacceptable.” 

The ADC therefore called on President Tinubu to rein in his aides, particularly those making what it described as “baseless but dangerous allegations that risk heating up the polity two years before the next general election.” 

“This manner of crying wolf where there is none does not make the president look good and only betrays a sense of panic,” the party added. 

Riding on the crest of ADC’s growing popularity, Interim Secretary of the party and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Aregbesola, has declared that the party would trounce President Tinubu and the APC just as he urged party members to put aside their personal interests, differences and work towards its success in the 2027 general elections. 

No doubts, the coalition has a lot of work to do as commentators note that the race for the presidency could be a make or break affair for the party given its crowd of presidential aspirants. How effectively the party manages this would go a long way to determine its political fortunes in 2027.