A new political alliance in Nigeria is causing heated debate across the country. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been taken over by leading opposition figures, who want to use it as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s government in the 2027 general elections. This development has led to strong reactions from both the ruling party and other political groups.
What Happened?
Prominent politicians from different parties have joined forces and taken control of the ADC. They chose former Senate President David Mark as Interim National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary. Their goal is to unite the opposition and present a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next national election.
Reactions from Government and Opposition
The Presidency and the APC have strongly criticized the new coalition. The President’s media adviser, Sunday Dare, called the ADC alliance a “coalition of convenience” made up of “political desperados” who are only interested in regaining power, not in helping Nigeria move forward. He said most of the politicians in the coalition had already left the APC before the 2023 elections and are only united by their dislike for President Tinubu.
Quote from the Presidency:
“What we are seeing is not a credible force for change, but a gathering of the politically displaced, seeking relevance by any means possible.”
The APC’s spokesman, Felix Morka, said the ruling party is not worried by the coalition. He described the ADC as a “gasping whimper” and said its members are only interested in power for themselves, not in the good of Nigeria.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also criticized the coalition leaders, saying they have nothing new to offer Nigerians. He questioned their past records in government and accused them of only wanting power for personal gain.
Support for the Coalition
Despite the criticism, some opposition leaders are supporting the ADC alliance. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has given his full support to the coalition. He said that no single group can change Nigeria alone and that only a united opposition can bring real change.
The Labour Party, under Senator Nenadi Usman, has also backed Peter Obi’s involvement in the coalition. However, another faction of the Labour Party, led by Julius Abure, has given Obi a 48-hour ultimatum to resign from the party or face expulsion. The Usman-led faction has dismissed this ultimatum as “mischievous” and said Obi’s participation in the coalition has the full support of the party leadership.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not officially joined the coalition but says it is open to working with “like-minded citizens” to challenge the APC in 2027.
Internal Disputes and Conditions
Some members of the coalition have set conditions for their support. Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 ADC presidential candidate, said he would only back the coalition if it promises to field a southern presidential candidate in 2027. He said the coalition members are all old friends and should not let personal ambition divide them.
Public Opinion
There are mixed feelings among Nigerians about the new coalition. Some, like PDP chieftain Dele Momodu, believe the coalition is the strongest opposition alliance Nigeria has ever seen and could bring real change. Others, especially supporters of the APC, see it as a desperate move by politicians who have lost power and are trying to get it back.
Summary Table: Key Reactions to ADC Coalition
| Group/Leader | Position on ADC Coalition |
|---|---|
| Presidency/APC | Critical; call it a coalition of desperate politicians |
| Nyesom Wike (FCT) | Critical; says coalition leaders have nothing to offer |
| Peter Obi (LP) | Supports coalition; says unity is needed for change |
| Labour Party (Usman) | Supports Obi’s involvement in coalition |
| Labour Party (Abure) | Gives Obi 48-hour ultimatum to resign or face expulsion |
| PDP | Not officially joined, but open to collaboration |
| Dumebi Kachikwu (ADC) | Will support if coalition fields southern presidential candidate |
Conclusion
The ADC-led opposition coalition is stirring up Nigerian politics ahead of the 2027 elections. While the ruling party and some opposition figures are strongly against it, others believe it is the best chance for real change in Nigeria. The next few months will show whether this new alliance can unite the opposition and present a real challenge to President Tinubu’s government.
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