The African Democratic Congress (ADC), adopted as the platform for the National Opposition Coalition Group on July 2, 2025, has launched an aggressive campaign to woo high-profile politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Led by interim National Chairman Senator David Mark and interim National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC has successfully taken over PDP structures in Yobe, Gombe, and Adamawa, with executives in these states aligning with the coalition, as confirmed by Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Paul Ibe. The coalition, including prominent figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, aims to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the APC, capitalizing on public discontent over 33.9% inflation (NBS April 2025) and 2,500 terrorism deaths in Q1 2025 (ACLED). However, the ADC faces resistance, with Borno Governor Babagana Zulum denying defection rumors and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike sharply criticizing coalition leaders, particularly Aregbesola, for past governance failures.
ADC’s Strategy and Defections
The ADC is reportedly in talks with at least five sitting governors, with insiders claiming potential defections from PDP governors awaiting resolution of internal party disputes, particularly involving Wike. Five PDP leaders from Benue, Niger, Kano, Gombe, and Borno have already resigned to join the ADC, citing the PDP’s lack of cohesion and failure to embrace the coalition. Atiku, coordinating the North East, met ADC stakeholders from Gombe on July 4, while Mark and Aregbesola are mobilizing in Benue and Osun, respectively. The coalition, unveiled at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, includes heavyweights like former APC Chairman John Oyegun, former PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, and former governors Gabriel Suswam, Aminu Tambuwal, and Emeka Ihedioha. Former ADC Chairman Ralph Nwosu noted that supporters are pushing seven figures, including Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Amaechi, and Bamidele Ajadi, for the 2027 presidential ticket. Peter Obi, while remaining in the Labour Party (LP), confirmed his commitment to the ADC coalition on Channels Television, denying rumors of being Atiku’s running mate and emphasizing a unified opposition for Nigeria’s sake.
Resistance from APC and PDP
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum dismissed claims of his defection as “fictitious” and reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, urging the public to ignore disinformation. APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru called the coalition a “fraud,” arguing it lacks the legitimacy of the 2013 APC merger, which involved five PDP governors and a formal dissolution of merging parties. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike launched a scathing attack on Aregbesola, Mark, and Amaechi during a July 6 thanksgiving service in Abuja, criticizing Aregbesola’s tenure as Interior Minister for passport issuance delays, Mark’s failure to develop Otukpo, and Amaechi’s role in Nigeria’s Chinese loans. Wike claimed the PDP remains the only viable opposition, dismissing the ADC as a group of “power mongers”. PDP’s Austin Nwachukwu echoed this, calling defectors “over 70” and their exits “good riddance,” while insisting the PDP is united. APC leaders like Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Vice Chairman Ijeomah Arodiogbu argued Tinubu’s reforms ensure re-election, citing APC’s control of 23 states
Leave a Reply