The event, which attracted politicians from major political parties, including the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was held at the Yar’Adua Centre.
Among those present were John Oyegun, the former national chairman of the APC; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior; Aminu Tambuwal, the ex-governor of Sokoto; and former Senate President David Mark, who is now the interim national chairman of the ADC.
Others are Abubakar Malami, the former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice; Rotimi Amaechi, ex-minister of transportation; Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central; and Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT); Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the LP in 2023; and Akeem Baba-Ahmed, the LP vice-presidential candidate in 2023.
There were also politicians such as Dino Melaye, former Kogi west senator; Solomon Dalung, a former minister of sports; Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo; Aisha Yesufu, chieftain of the LP; Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine; Enyinnaya Abaribe, Gabriel Suswan, former governor of Benue; and Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), among others.
Ralph Nwosu, the immediate former national chairman of the ADC, said the coalition movement is not about seeking power but about moving Nigeria to global reckoning.
Nwosu that the leadership of the party under his watch has stepped down for the Mark-led team.
“My welcome address here today, I titled it Beyond politics and power: We must commit to moving Nigeria from the ICU to global reckoning. It’s not about seeking power. We have the capacity,” Nwosu said.
“ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. This journey started about 18 months back, 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. Nigerians are yearning for a coalition because they want everyone to come together.”
Mark the coalition of opposition political parties would ensure that Nigeria does not descend into a one-party state.
He described the coalition as a united front of Nigeria’s diverse opposition groups, youth organisations, civil society, and patriots committed to saving the country’s democracy.
“This coalition goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy,” Mark said.
