…Party Tensions, Accusations of Hijack Greet Political Move
By Moses Adeniyi | Abuja
In what observers are calling a seismic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark have officially joined forces under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a bold attempt to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The unveiling of the coalition, which took place at a high-profile event in Abuja on Wednesday, marks the emergence of what many view as the most significant opposition bloc since 2015. David Mark was announced as the interim National Chairman of the ADC, with former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, named as interim National Secretary.
Speaking at the launch, Mark described the move not just as a bid for power but a mission to salvage Nigeria’s ailing democracy.
“This coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy,” Mark declared, lamenting what he described as the APC-led government’s authoritarian drift, worsening insecurity, economic collapse, and the emasculation of the legislature.
Opposition Unites — But Not Without Controversy
The announcement triggered a wave of reactions, sparking internal crisis within the ADC and wider divisions across major opposition parties. Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, lambasted the coalition leaders, accusing them of hijacking the party for selfish ambitions.
“These are mostly geriatrics shopping around for a platform to continue their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition,” Kachikwu said in a scathing statement, questioning how politicians who “set Nigeria on fire” now claim to be the fire brigade.
Similarly, a group of ADC members identifying as “Concerned Stakeholders” outrightly rejected Aregbesola’s appointment as unconstitutional, denouncing the process as elitist and lacking legitimacy.
The party’s founding National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, however, dismissed dissenters, declaring Kachikwu a persona non grata and asserting that the coalition reflects the ADC’s true direction.
“We all decided to resign so that Mark, Aregbesola and others can lead us to the Villa. This is a new beginning,” Nwosu affirmed.
PDP in Dilemma as Top Leaders Defy Party Line
The move also deepened cracks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party. While the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, reiterated the party’s unity and refusal to join any coalition, several prominent figures — including Atiku, Mark, and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido — publicly endorsed the new movement.
Damagum issued a stern warning that disciplinary measures await members who undermine the party’s authority.
“We are drawing a line. Those who go to de-market the party, we are watching them and we will take appropriate actions at the right time,” he said.
Despite PDP governors earlier rejecting any coalition movement during a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, notable figures continue to break ranks, with some maintaining dual allegiances.
A Movement or a Merger?
Former APC chieftain and ex-Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, who also appeared at the unveiling, confirmed he resigned from the APC the previous night. In a dramatic address, Amaechi criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic failures.
“It’s not just about changing government, it’s about changing Nigeria. Inflation is at its peak. People can’t buy food. Nigeria is destroyed,” Amaechi declared.
He called for a movement beyond traditional politics, urging Nigerians to “take over government” themselves.
Other high-profile attendees included Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, and activist Aisha Yesufu, among dozens of political veterans and technocrats.
APC Dismisses Coalition as “No Threat”
Unsurprisingly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) scoffed at the development. The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the coalition leaders as “retired politicians” and “the same people who ruined Nigeria.”
“They are not a threat. They are not in tandem with the political trends today. They have been defeated before and will be defeated again,” Ibrahim said.
He dismissed the coalition as a group of irrelevant politicians clinging to relevance and accused them of having “nothing new to offer.”
What Next?
With two years remaining before the 2027 general elections, the emergence of this broad-based coalition signals an intensifying political battle. Yet, with internal dissent already festering within the ADC and key opposition parties like the PDP refusing to fully embrace the alliance, questions remain about the coalition’s stability and credibility.
Nonetheless, for many Nigerians grappling with inflation, insecurity, and perceived executive overreach, the idea of a unified opposition may offer a glimmer of hope — or yet another chapter in Nigeria’s cyclical elite power struggle. Recall the build up that brought the APC into power in 2015 was the coalition of some major opposition parties which include the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) along with a breakaway faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the new PDP – a faction of then ruling People’s Democratic Party.