The African Democratic Congress (ADC), newly adopted as the platform for Nigeria’s opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, is reportedly courting at least five sitting governors to strengthen its ranks.
Sources familiar with the coalition’s strategy told Business Hallmark that the ADC aims to capitalise on ongoing internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to attract defecting governors and bolster its political base.
Already, five PDP leaders from different states have resigned from the party and formally joined the ADC, a move that coalition leaders say signals growing momentum for the opposition movement.
On Wednesday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark, and other political heavyweights officially unveiled the ADC as the coalition’s vehicle to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
David Mark and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, were named interim national chairman and secretary of the party, respectively.
Among those who attended the unveiling and publicly renounced their membership of the APC were former APC national chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
Several prominent PDP figures, including former national chairman Uche Secondus, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, and former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), have also aligned with the coalition under the ADC.
Labour Party senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, was also in attendance at the coalition’s formal adoption of the ADC.
Despite the high-profile endorsements, the ADC-led coalition has come under criticism from various quarters.
PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has cautioned that there will be consequences for party members who undermine the PDP’s unity, insisting the leadership remains firmly in place.
Similarly, APC loyalists have downplayed the coalition’s relevance. Pro-Tinubu commentator and former presidential aide Reno Omokri dismissed the opposition movement as “a gathering of rejected politicians and former political office holders.”
APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeomah Arodiogbu, also criticised the coalition, noting that the absence of sitting governors in the formation is a key weakness.
Arodiogbu contrasted the ADC coalition with the formation of the APC in 2013, which succeeded in ousting the PDP largely because it attracted governors across political lines.
“This coalition has no serving governor on board, and it’s already showing cracks. That alone speaks volumes about its fragility,” he said.
Meanwhile, vocal critics of the Tinubu administration such as Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have also dismissed the coalition as a failed project even before takeoff. Both men argued that the alliance lacks cohesion and credible leadership and will not pose any threat to Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Nonetheless, coalition insiders remain optimistic that more defections will follow in the coming months and that the movement can evolve into a formidable political force—especially if it successfully resolves internal power struggles and fields a consensus presidential candidate.
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