A coalition of opposition politicians, including several former ministers and top political figures, has officially taken over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its new political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, held on Wednesday at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, saw the ADC’s National Chairman, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, and National Secretary, Alhaji Saeed Baba Abdullahi, hand over party leadership to former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as Interim National Chairman and Interim National Secretary, respectively.
According to Nwosu, the ADC held over a dozen National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings in the past 18 months to facilitate the coalition. “Nigeria is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This is not about power but about reviving the country,” he said.
David Mark, now the face of the rebranded ADC coalition, did not mince words in his critique of the current administration. He accused President Tinubu of orchestrating a total “state capture,” alleging that the Renewed Hope Agenda had devolved into “renewed hopelessness.”
“This coalition goes beyond political power. It is a rescue mission. The Tinubu administration has hijacked democratic structures, reduced the National Assembly to cheerleaders, and is creating a one-party state. We are here to resist that descent,” Mark declared.
The event witnessed the presence of high-profile political actors across party lines, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed; and former governors such as Aminu Tambuwal, Nasir El-Rufai, Liyel Imoke, and Emeka Ihedioha. Others included Rotimi Amaechi, Ibrahim Malami, Solomon Dalung, and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Despite the broad support, the move has sparked internal conflict within the ADC. Dumebi Kachikwu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, condemned the takeover as illegitimate and “a dramedy,” questioning the legal status of Nwosu’s leadership. He referred to the coalition as “yesterday’s men” seeking relevance through backdoor politics.
“You can’t build something on nothing. These are people who set our nation on fire and now call themselves the fire brigade,” Kachikwu fumed. He insisted the coalition lacked legitimacy and would be rejected by Nigerians seeking new leadership and ideas.
Kachikwu further warned that the alliance was unsustainable, calling on the Atiku-led group to follow due process or “shop for another party very soon.”
In response, Nwosu dismissed Kachikwu’s remarks, declaring him persona non grata. “Anyone against what we have done today is not a member of the ADC,” he said, urging members to brace for the battle ahead.
The coalition, while yet to unveil its full electoral strategy, hinted at discussions with some APC governors in the North. One of its leaders claimed several northern governors were already in talks to switch allegiance before the 2027 elections.
The unfolding development marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s pre-election manoeuvrings, setting the stage for what could be a fierce political showdown.
