Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, and the former National Vice Chairman (South-West), Dr Eddy Olafeso, have dismissed the opposition coalition and the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a poorly structured and unrealistic move to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

However, former Political Adviser to the President, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, described the leading figures for the coalition as the same old political actors unfit to pose any challenge against Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was as a pro-Peter Obi group, People’s Organic Movement (POM), applied to join the Umar Ardo-led coalition in its bid to register ADA as a new political party.

In a letter dated June 22, 2025, which was signed by its National Chairman, Eliashib Ime-James, the group said it was seeking to join the coalition because “it shares the same values, vision and objectives” for Nigeria’s growth.

But the extent of the group’s ties to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, is yet to be determined. Speaking to The Guardian, yesterday, George and Olafesocriticised attempts to replicate the 2014 APC merger model, arguing that the present coalition lacked cohesion, ideology and credible leadership to challenge the APC.

George described the ADA formation as “a dangerous joke,” accusing proponents of prioritising personal ambition over national interest. He expressed disappointment with Atiku, who had clinched the PDP presidential ticket twice, saying Atiku’s repeated bids for power eroded public trust.

He flared up at party elders like David Mark and former PDP Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, for supporting the coalition instead of staying back to rebuild the PDP. “The coalition carries an ethnic bias that could worsen Nigeria’s fragile unity,” George warned.
Olafeso echoed George’s concerns, calling the coalition a misguided effort that misunderstood the strength of Tinubu’s 2015 APC model.

“That merger took years of planning, with stable, well-organised political structures. What we have now is a hurried scramble by politicians who destroyed their parties and now want to reinvent themselves through ADA,” he said.

Olafeso admitted that no single opposition party could defeat Tinubu in 2027 but insisted that a disorganised alliance like ADA would not succeed either. “With ADA, Tinubu will have an easy ride to a second term,” he asserted.

Baba-Ahmed also cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against favouring the registration of the new coalition party merely because of the political status of its sponsors.

Atiku and el-Rufai are at the forefront of the coalition that was brought into limelight recently.

Speaking on Arise News, yesterday, the former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) dismissed the coalition’s promise of renewal, warning that its leadership lacked the moral and political credibility to inspire Nigerians.

Baba-Ahmed added that once formed, the coalition would quickly fall under the influence of the recycled political elite.