In a major political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of opposition political figures has formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new platform to unite against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made on Tuesday during a high-profile unveiling ceremony held in Abuja.
The coalition, made up of influential politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other parties, described the move as a strategic realignment to “rescue Nigeria from the grip of misgovernance, insecurity, and economic hardship.”
The adoption of ADC followed months of consultations and negotiations, with the coalition narrowing its options from either forming a new party or aligning with an existing one. After evaluating political structures and national reach, the ADC was selected as the most viable option.
Interim Leadership Unveiled
At the event, the coalition unveiled its interim national leadership to steer the affairs of the ADC until its national convention scheduled for later this year.
David Mark, former Senate President, was named Chairman of the interim leadership council.
Rauf Aregbesola, former Minister of Interior and ex-Governor of Osun State, was appointed National Secretary.
Bolaji Abdullahi, a former PDP spokesperson and ex-Minister of Sports, was named National Publicity Secretary.
David Mark, in his acceptance speech, said the coalition’s decision was driven by the need to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.
“The people are tired of promises without results. We are coming together not just to win elections but to rebuild trust, deliver governance, and restore hope,” he declared.
Notable Political Heavyweights in Attendance
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several political bigwigs, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. While none of the trio formally announced their official defection, their presence at the ADC event fueled widespread speculation of a broader opposition merger.
Coalition’s Vision and Plans
Rauf Aregbesola, now Secretary of the interim committee, explained that the coalition’s aim is to restore Nigeria’s institutions and tackle economic inequalities.
“The ADC is now a symbol of unity for all Nigerians who believe in a better future,” he said.
He added that nationwide consultations and grassroots mobilization would begin immediately, and a full party convention would be held by November to ratify policies and elect permanent executives.
Background: Why ADC?
Originally founded in 2005, the African Democratic Congress was chosen due to its nationwide registration with INEC, existing grassroots presence, and history of neutrality in recent election cycles.
The coalition reportedly ruled out forming a new party due to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registration hurdles and time constraints before the 2027 polls.
Political observers have described the move as a “wake-up call” for the ruling APC.
“The merger could recreate a 2015-style scenario where a united opposition unseated the ruling party,” said political analyst Ibrahim Shittu.