The Nigerian political landscape is abuzz with the formation of a new opposition coalition, primarily under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. This realignment follows growing public frustration over inflation, insecurity, and unemployment, creating a fertile ground for a perceived alternative to the current administration.

The coalition, which adopted the ADC platform after efforts to register a new party (All Democratic Alliance - ADA) faced potential delays from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has appointed interim leaders: former Senate President David Mark as National Chairperson, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and former Minister of Youth and Sports Bolaji Abdullahi as spokesperson. Prominent figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi (Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate), former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi are identified as key members championing this alliance.

However, the ruling APC and its allies have launched a scathing attack on the coalition, dismissing it as a gathering of "desperados" and "internally displaced politicians" motivated by personal ambition rather than genuine national interest. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu's special adviser on media and strategy, criticized former Buhari appointees now in the opposition, including Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Hadi Sirika, and Rauf Aregbesola, for their alleged lack of ideology and personal grievances after losing out in the APC. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo echoed this, stating that the coalition's move to ADC only strengthens the APC by dismembering rival parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other APC stalwarts, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have described the ADC coalition as a futile and ill-conceived venture. Wike particularly criticized figures like David Mark and Rotimi Amaechi, questioning their political weight and past records, suggesting they failed to deliver their constituencies to the PDP in 2023. Sanwo-Olu asserted that Nigerians would support Tinubu's reforms and that the ADC alliance was a mere distraction, emphasizing that "Nigerians will never go back to Egypt." Felix Morka, APC's national publicity secretary, also stated the party is not "jittery" and that President Tinubu is courageously confronting Nigeria's toughest challenges, dismissing opposition criticisms as "insincere and predetermined." Similarly, Farouk Aliyu of APC described the alliance as a congregation of aggrieved individuals with no clear development agenda, contrasting it with the 2014 merger that brought Buhari to power.

On the other hand, the coalition members and their supporters defend their move. Atiku Abubakar maintained that ADC is a patriotic movement genuinely guided by national interest and aims to offer a truly democratic party with clear ideology and open internal democracy, not a "cult-like structure." Peter Obi has consistently reaffirmed his ambition to contest for the presidency in 2027, denying any speculation of being a running mate to Atiku. He stated that a single four-year term would be sufficient to establish good governance and that his involvement with the ADC coalition is a necessary collaboration for national rescue, not a betrayal of the Labour Party. He emphasized the need for inclusive leadership, even welcoming those who have been part of past "bad governments" for their valuable experience in avoiding systemic failures.

Despite the outward show of unity, the coalition faces internal challenges. Some members of the ADC, like its 2023 presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu, have vehemently rejected the adoption of their party, calling the new members "greedy and selfish old men" who have merely hijacked a convenient platform. Within the Labour Party, a faction led by Julius Abure has issued an ultimatum to Peter Obi to resign for joining the coalition, while another faction (Nenadi Usman-led) supports his involvement. The PDP in Niger State has also distanced itself from the ADC coalition, although a prominent BoT member, Alhaji Adamu Waziri, has formally resigned from PDP to join the ADC. Former SGF Babachir Lawal also resigned from APC, but has not yet announced his next political affiliation.

Critics, including political analysts like Baba Yusuf and commentators like Temitope Ajayi, widely view this coalition as "old wine in a new bottle" – a regrouping of familiar elites seeking political relevance without offering new ideas or ideological clarity. Ajayi characterized it as a "political Uber for those stranded without relevance," driven by "jealousy, personal bitterness, inflated ambition, and expired influence." He questioned the legality of the new leadership structure given the 2022 Electoral Act's provisions for party official appointments. Similarly, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) National Chairman, Bishop Amakiri, stated that the majority of coalition leaders lack the moral authority to offer meaningful change due to their past failures.

The historical context of coalition politics in Nigeria is significant; the APC itself was formed through a merger of opposition parties in 2013, leading to a historic victory in 2015. Observers note that the 2023 presidential election results, where a divided opposition collectively outpolled the APC, underscore the potential power of unity. However, the current coalition's success will hinge on its ability to overcome internal conflicts, articulate a clear vision beyond being anti-Tinubu, and build grassroots support. The ruling party, despite its internal cracks (as noted by some analysts regarding Tinubu's marginalization of key Buhari figures), remains confident, asserting that their reforms will yield positive results.

A recent controversy also saw lawmaker Clement Jimbo using an analogy of a 2006 ADC plane crash to warn people against joining the African Democratic Congress, drawing widespread condemnation for insensitivity. The political landscape is fluid, with 2027 rapidly approaching. The opposition's adoption of the ADC, and the high-level appointments that come with it, indicate an intensified contest for power, but their credibility and sustainability remain central to public and political debate.