In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, top opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi have taken over the African Democratic Congress (ADC), forming a new coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. The dramatic realignment, which took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, July 2, is being described by many as the biggest threat yet to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) since Tinubu assumed office.
The meeting, which was initially low-key, quickly turned historic as the entire national leadership of the ADC, led by Ralph Nwosu and Baba Abdullahi, stepped down. This surprise resignation cleared the path for the coalition to officially adopt the ADC as its new political home. Senator David Mark, a former Senate President, was announced as the interim national chairman, while Rauf Aregbesola, a former Osun State Governor and one-time Minister of Interior under President Buhari, was appointed interim national secretary.
The symbolic handover was not only dramatic but also strategic. Ralph Nwosu, speaking to journalists, said the decision to relinquish control of the party was intentional. “We decided to resign so that Mark, Aregbesola, and others can lead us to the Villa,” he stated, referencing the ultimate goal of the presidency. According to insiders, the coalition intends to present a united front to avoid the kind of divided opposition that allowed Tinubu to secure victory in 2023.
However, the move has sparked serious controversy within the ADC ranks. Not everyone is on board with what many have described as a political hijack. Dumebi Kachikwu, who ran as the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, has publicly rejected the coalition’s actions, describing the event as a “political dramedy” staged by “yesterday’s men.” He questioned the legality of the resignation and appointment process, warning that the party’s constitution was being trampled for selfish ambition. His sentiments were echoed by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Musa Matara, who dismissed the interim leadership as illegitimate and warned that the party was being used as a vehicle for political elites to regain power.
Despite the backlash, the coalition appears undeterred. In his address, Senator David Mark emphasized the urgent need to save Nigeria’s democracy, arguing that the nation was dangerously sliding into a one-party state. “This is a rescue mission,” he said. Rauf Aregbesola, on his part, declared the movement as the birth of a national revival. According to him, “It is time for patriots across party lines to unite and put the country first.”
The new alliance raises plenty of questions about how power dynamics will play out between the coalition members. Atiku and Obi, who faced off in the 2023 election, have long been seen as political rivals with overlapping support bases. El-Rufai and Amaechi, both former APC heavyweights, now appear to be repositioning themselves for relevance in a post-Tinubu Nigeria. Political analysts believe the move signals deep dissatisfaction within the elite class over Tinubu’s style of governance, cabinet appointments, and economic reforms.
What makes this coalition particularly interesting is the blend of ideologies, egos, and ambitions packed into one fragile alliance. It's a risky gamble, but one that could completely upend the 2027 election narrative if managed well. The group’s choice of ADC - a party without significant electoral baggage also appears calculated, allowing them to start fresh without the internal wars that typically plague larger platforms like PDP and Labour Party.
Social media has gone wild since the announcement, with many Nigerians split in opinion. Some hail the coalition as a long-awaited political revolution, while others see it as an elite recycling program disguised as reform. Memes, commentaries, and conspiracy theories have filled timelines as people try to decode the real motives behind the alliance.
For President Tinubu, the message is clear: 2027 will not be a walk in the park. Though his base remains strong, especially in the Southwest, the opposition's united front could present formidable competition if it holds. Nigerian politics is known for its fluid alliances, and whether this coalition survives internal disagreements, power struggles, and public skepticism remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: the 2027 race has started earlier than expected, and the ADC has suddenly become the hottest political property in Nigeria. Whether it’s a masterstroke or a chaotic misfire, this realignment will dominate headlines and shape conversations for months to come. And as the drama unfolds, Nigerians are watching closely hopeful, skeptical, and above all, entertained.
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