On Wednesday, July 2, 2025 a coalition of opposition forces formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
This is coming few days after the rulin All Progressives Congress, APC in its recent national summit in Abuja, endorsed and adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential poll.
However, the opposition leaders, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); as well as ex-Speaker and former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, among other political heavyweights, had formed a coalition under Atiku’s leadership to unseat Tinubu in the next election.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that at the formal adoption of the ADC on Wednesday, the coalition announced former Senate President David Mark and former Interior Minister Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary of the party, respectively.
The event, initially scheduled for the Wells Carlton Hotel, was eventually held at the Yar’adua Centre in Abuja after the hotel reportedly cancelled the booking.
It was gathered that various members of the newly formed coalition took time to explain why they came together to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming general election.
David Mark
In any case, speaking shortly after his unveiling as interim national chairman, Mark said the coalition’s move was aimed at rescuing Nigeria from authoritarian drift.
According to the retired army general, the alliance was formed to prevent the country’s “descent into a one-party state,” accusing the Tinubu administration of hijacking democratic institutions and leading Nigeria towards a “creeping civilian dictatorship.”
He lamented that under Tinubu’s government, Nigerians are “wallowing in abject poverty, hunger and insecurity, without any meaningful government effort to address the situation”.
He also decried the alleged subjugation of the National Assembly, describing it as an “appendage of presidential authority” that no longer serves to protect Nigerians.
“The blatant destabilization and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective — total state capture, leaving Nigerians with no alternative in 2027,” Mark said.
He added that “we have never seen this level of insecurity across the country. Bandits and kidnappers kill Nigerians at will daily, yet the government has failed to act decisively.”
Mark further accused the legislature of being reduced to “cheerleaders and praise singers of the president,” saying this enables the executive to implement “whimsical, unconstitutional policies” that have deepened poverty and insecurity.
He warned that the country’s democracy and unity were under threat and called on all Nigerians — young and old, rich and poor — to join the movement to save the nation.
On why the coalition settled for the ADC, Mark said the party was chosen after several months of consultations with critical stakeholders.
“After extensive deliberations spanning months, the coalition has decided to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the vehicle for this historic journey,” he said.
He added that the ADC would be transformed into a “fortress and platform of revived democracy,” governed by rule of law, internal democracy, and inclusivity.
“Here, the North shall hold hands with the South, the youth shall stand equally with elders, women with men, the farmer with the technocrat—not for the triumph of one party, but for the triumph of Nigeria,” he stated.
Mark said the coalition prioritises unity over division, action over excuses, and inclusion over nepotism.
‘Nigeria is in Intensive Care Unit, ICU’ – Nwosu
In his remarks, the outgoing ADC national chairman, Ralph Nwosu, said Nigeria is in the “intensive care unit (ICU),” but expressed confidence that the ADC would win the 2027 elections and “lift the country out of the ICU.”
“Lives are being lost. What solution has this government offered? We must take Nigeria from ICU to global relevance,” he said.
Nwosu charged the new leadership led by Mark to unite members and move away from tribal and micro-political sentiments.
“Nigeria is over 20% of Africa. If we collapse, Africa collapses,” he warned. “Millions are yearning for this coalition.”
He acknowledged that some actors had turned the movement into a money-making venture, but insisted the mission remained to transform the country.
Nwosu revealed that the coalition-building effort began 18 months ago and involved over 12 National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings and consultations with stakeholders, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, as well as other political leaders.
In any case, WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that since the formation of the coalition on Wednesday, there has plethora of comments and reactions to the new political development in the country.
On Friday, the the Igbo Socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, hailed the adoption of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, by the leaders of Nigeria’s opposition coalition, saying it has halted Nigerian’s drifting to a one- party system.
Ohanaeze said the Coalition’s adoption of the ADC has heralded a remarkable milestone, effectively halting Nigeria’s dangerous drift towards an unhealthy one-party nation.
According to the group, ”This development has rendered the so-called crisis merchants, individuals previously engaged to undermine opposition parties such as the PDP, LP, SDP, and APGA, irrelevant as their political benefactors grow increasingly anxious about their future in the light of ADC’s emergence as a formidable contender and genuine threat.
In a joint press statement issued on Friday by it factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze called on the federal government to wake up from it’s complacent slumber and take decisive actions armed at accelerating Nigeria’s economic recovery.
“The time has come for the government to awaken from its complacent slumber and take decisive actions aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s economic recovery. President Tinubu stands clearly on notice; it is now essential for him to pursue redemptive actions that foster economic revitalization and to engage in a critical self-assessment of whether his administration’s unpopular policies have yielded any beneficial outcomes for the Nigerian populace.
“The glaring inefficacy of certain ministers in overseeing critical sectors—including the economy, security, agriculture, health, and rural development must be confronted with urgency as we approach August 2025, a milestone marking two years since the appointments of his Cabinet Ministers.
“While commendable progress has been made in road infrastructure and revolutionary policies within the Federal Capital Territory, driven by Ministers David Umahi and Nyesom Wike, it remains crucial for President Tinubu to undertake a reevaluation of his Cabinet.
“He must prioritize evidence-based reforms and policies crafted by esteemed Nigerian economists, experts, and technocrats, prioritizing national interest over politically expedient loyalties. Such a reevaluation is of paramount importance for restoring public confidence in his administration and mending our significantly damaged economy.
“Moreover, President Tinubu must embrace the ADC’s endeavors to unseat him as an unexpected opportunity—a blessing in disguise—to recalibrate his governance strategies.
“The time for taking the Nigerian populace for granted has long since passed; neglecting their paramount needs can only lead to grave consequences for his administration.
“It is pertinent to be forthright: while the ADC may present itself as a viable opposition, we must remain cognizant that many coalition leaders share culpability for the ten years of unbearable suffering inflicted upon Nigerians under APC governance since 2015.
“A staggering 80% of ADC coalition leaders are individuals of questionable character, often preoccupied with personal ambitions related to state capture, leveraging the inadequacies of the Federal Government for their interests.
“The reality confronting President Tinubu is both stark and sobering. Disturbing intelligence suggests that several state governors may betray his aspirations for re-election in 2027 by switching allegiance to the ADC, especially in light of the impending challenges that may beset the ruling party, APC.
“Reports indicate that some Northern governors are clandestinely engaging with ADC representatives and are under significant pressure from Northern political leaders and traditional rulers to abandon the
“They are acutely aware of the presidency’s anxiety and the repercussions of the Opposition Coalition’s adoption of the ADC to contest President Tinubu’s re-election ambitions. The Northern region stands poised to sabotage his political interests should the President decide to displace his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, with another Northern nominee in the forthcoming elections.
The group noted that it is imperative for President Tinubu to confront his shortcomings with sincerity and urgency, adding that the current trajectory suggests need for urgent adjustment of his strategies.
Don’t take ADC for granted, says Leke Abejide
The only federal lawmaker elected under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Leke Abejide, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against underestimating the new coalition taking control of the ADC, describing the group as a formidable political force.
Abejide, a staunch supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hinted at his likely defection to the APC, stating that the politicians behind the ADC takeover are no pushovers and could pose serious challenges to the ruling party.
Speaking during a television interview, the Kogi lawmaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise acknowledged his awareness of the planned realignment within the ADC and the resignation of the party’s former national chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
He noted that the coalition members are within their rights to associate and join any party of their choice.
He said, “They can cause a headache for APC, and I advise that they are not taken for granted. They will have members in the National and State Assemblies, and possibly governors. But they cannot win the presidency.”
Abejide added that President Tinubu remains politically strategic and resilient, citing the obstacles he overcame—such as fuel scarcity and the naira redesign—during the last election.
“The Asiwaju, you see, is a master of the game… He won despite all odds. Now that he has control of the system, do you think he will lose? It’s unlikely. However, I am not saying they won’t make an impact—they will—but not enough to win the presidency,” he said.
He urged the APC to treat the coalition seriously and to accelerate ongoing reforms, including addressing outstanding payments to contractors working for the Nigerian people.
“The number of states APC controls now is much more than any party in Nigeria. ADC have no governor, no senator except those who might decamp soon. These people will be working hard not to fail because if they fail, they will face the Consequences. The President, the leaders of the APC and all those supporting the president should not go to sleep.
Those People you saw are no lightweight politicians. Except for the fact that they cannot agree because most of them want to be president. So, the issue of candidacy will be the problem.
“People have said Obi will not like to play the second fiddle, and so would want to contest the presidency, and that might be a problem. Once this coalition collapses, that is the end. The coalition is a blessing in disguise for the APC.
“The PDP governors are working to put the party together, and this is another party coming up strong, and what happened in 2023 might likely happen in 2027 because the opposition will be fragmented. I want this coalition to continue while the PDP puts their House in order so that this election will be smooth”.
“I have said it before that the ADC will soon become the second largest party in Nigeria because it will consume the PDP. But the party cannot win the election because it is about the person and not the party. If APC had fielded another for the election in 2023, they would have lost the election.”
He said, “I am the only elected lawmaker at the federal level and at the state Assembly, I am a member. I am the National Leader of the party, and in 2023, I brought another lawmaker to the federal level.
“I don’t think Dumebi himself is a member of this party. He joined us in 2023, and I came to know him when they came back from a convention where they were elected as the presidential candidate, and the former national chairman brought him to my house. I told him then that I cannot deceive you. I am for Asiwaju, and I cannot support you. I will support Asiwaju
“That was the first time I knew him as a party member. I have been at this party since 2018, and I am the face of ADC in Nigeria. If you speak of ADC, it is only existing in Kogi State.
“Like the president said, there is freedom of Association. I can decide to go to APC tomorrow, and nobody can stop me. It is their right to come to ADC, and for the national chairman who resigned, it is his right. He can resign and go anywhere. But for me, that coalition is not going to end anywhere.
“People we never expected to come to APC are now coming to APC. So, don’t be surprised if I decide to move. I may decide tomorrow to move because those coming in have never played real politics, and I don’t think we have anything in common.
“Those we have things in common are in APC. The President, chief of staff to the President, Hon Faleke, are my people, my leaders. You see Dumebi fighting. What is he fighting for when you cannot stop anybody from associating? Let me tell you something. I am the financier of the party.
“This same Dumebi did a lot of things against me when I was contesting the governorship of my state. He gathered people not known in the party to stop me from getting the ticket, and for the National chairman to be removed. I told them, this man founded this party and we met him there. We negotiated with him to take the party to the states, and so, you cannot drive him out.
“He gathered some people and went to court to say they did not hold a convention. The matter has been in the Supreme Court, and they just withdrew the case from the Supreme Court”.
On whether he was carried along in the affairs leading to the takeover of the party, he said
“Ralph Nwosu tried to speak with me and there is nothing they did not do to get me to attend their meeting. But I did not because I don’t believe in it. Why should I put my head into something that I know is not going to work?
“But all of us in ADC are not on board with the coalition. I am not on board, even as the face of ADC. Many of the state chairmen are ready to move to the APC, and you will see this in the next few days.
“The Chief of Staff to the President and Hon. Faleke are my direct leaders. So, you should know where I belong already. Even in the 2023elections, Ralph Nwosu supported the Labour Party, while my supporters and I, including the National Secretary, supported Asiwaju. We have always had a simple understanding and never fought over anything. He knows my intentions, and that is why he does not disturb me, and I don’t disturb him.
“In fairness to them, they carried me along in all their discussions, but I told them I don’t want to be part of it. I was aware of all the plans since last year. Everybody has their plan, and mine will be clearer in the next two weeks.
APC reacts, says ‘They’re no threat to us’
Reacting to the development, APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the coalition’s adoption of the ADC as no threat to the ruling party.
In a telephone interview with newsmen, Ibrahim said the coalition consists of “analogue politicians” who are “not in tune with modern politics.”
“They can make waves, but not the kind that will shake the APC,” he said, adding that the party’s National Working Committee would review the participation of APC members in the coalition and take appropriate action.
Presidency: ‘Coalition dead on arrival’
Presidential spokesman, Dr Daniel Bwala, also dismissed the coalition in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, calling it “dead on arrival.”
Bwala, a former spokesman for Atiku and now Special Adviser to President Tinubu, mocked the coalition as an “association of wild goose chasers” made up of “internally displaced politicians.”