..Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, Amaechi Backs Move
Barring any last-minute changes, the opposition coalition aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections is set to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its unifying political platform.
Former Senate President, David Mark, is expected to serve as the party’s Interim National Chairman.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that the key players behind the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi.
Multiple credible sources confirmed that Mark has accepted the offer to lead the party.
Although the position of National Secretary remains unresolved—following the rejection of the role by former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Ben Obi—insiders say a consensus is close.
The ADC is expected to be formally unveiled later this week.
President Tinubu’s administration has recorded mixed outcomes across various sectors, but leaders of the emerging opposition alliance have consistently accused the APC-led government of underperformance.
Despite their critiques, parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, and SDP have continued to struggle with internal divisions.
In response, Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and others announced the formation of a coalition on March 20 in Abuja, sparking widespread debate over the possibility of a united opposition.
Since then, speculation has swirled regarding which party would serve as the coalition’s vehicle. According to multiple sources, the SDP was rejected due to its entrenched pro-Tinubu elements.
A top source involved in the coalition shared key details with DAILY GAZETTE, saying:
“What I can tell you is that we have all agreed on the ADC as the national coalition platform. So, ADC is our party, and that has been settled.”
He continued:
“Another significant development is that we have all agreed that former President of the Senate, David Mark, should serve as the Interim National Chairman.”
“We would have also resolved the issue of the National Secretary, but Aregbesola turned it down. He cited age and mentioned that his wife advised him to slow down. Senator Ben Obi also declined the offer.”
“So, we will settle that later. We had planned to unveil the party already, but Labour Party’s Peter Obi said he wanted to consult with his supporters, including a governor and some lawmakers.”
“Hopefully, we will make the official announcement this week. And we will all leave our political platforms for the ADC.”
Another insider confirmed that the coalition’s grassroots integration into the ADC has already begun:
“We adopted the ADC because time is no longer on our side, and INEC appears unwilling to register some of the political parties we previously proposed.”
“The agreement is that we will all leave our various parties and move to the platform we’ve agreed upon—ADC. Once it is unveiled, you will see each of us formally dumping our former platforms for the coalition party.”
He added:
“We have an important meeting scheduled for next Wednesday to finalise other key issues, including the position of National Secretary.”
“David Mark has already agreed to serve as the National Chairman. Our people have already joined the ADC. The current National Chairman of the ADC, along with some members of the party’s National Working Committee, will voluntarily step down to make room for the coalition leaders and ensure equitable distribution of party offices.”
Reacting to the developments, ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu praised David Mark as a fitting leader for the party, expressing his willingness to step aside for him.
“I am aware of the development. The conversation has been ongoing for about 18 months. We are all committed to rescuing Nigeria from the failed APC. Enough of poverty and insecurity.”
He added:
“There is no better detribalised Nigerian that can lead ADC than former Senate President, David Mark.”
“What we are doing is beyond politics and power grabbing, and if you look at it, one of the most disciplined, committed, and someone who thinks Nigeria first is former President of the Senate, David Mark.”
“No better person to do the job of ADC National Chairman and bring everybody together beyond politics than David Mark. I am ready to step aside and sacrifice for Nigeria. To me, Nigeria comes first. Our democracy has been compromised beyond everything, so we must move forward.”
On the anticipated defection of political bigwigs to the ADC, Nwosu said:
“In various ways, most of them have already been integrated. For example, in Anambra State, the person flying the ADC ticket is a chieftain of the Labour Party, and the running mate is a member of the PDP. So, these are LP and PDP leaders contesting under the ADC platform—you can see it’s already working.”
“Eighty per cent of those vying for various offices in the Federal Capital Territory under the ADC were, at some point, members of the PDP, LP, and even the APC.”
“Within the next week (this week), everything will be concluded, and they will be officially received. Everything will be wrapped up within this new week so that the party’s journey towards a new Nigeria can begin.”
A senior figure in Atiku’s camp, who requested anonymity, said that preparations for a formal declaration were at an advanced stage.
“Things are at a very advanced stage. A series of meetings were scheduled in the build-up to a formal declaration. Before next week runs out, the announcement will be made. I don’t want to put a specific date, but it will happen. It will be made with respect to the platform and the leadership of that platform.”
Meanwhile, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, affirmed that Peter Obi is open to any move that would help rescue the country.
“That is his position. In fact, you remember, right from the beginning, he has said that a coalition interested in taking people out of poverty, ensuring good security, addressing the health situation in Nigeria, improving education, and promoting economic well-being—that is what he stands for. That has been his position. As long as it is in the interest of Nigeria, he is in the coalition for that particular purpose.”
Tanko added:
“Yes, there may be a pronouncement in the coming days. We will call everybody and let you know. I am not in charge of the secretariat. The secretariat will let you know the date. I will not be able to tell you the platform they have settled for. When they announce it, they will let you know.”
“There is no need for us to be in a hurry. My message to Nigerians is this: I have always said—take a look at your kitchen and compare it to where it was before. Then you will know that you need to make a decision to make Nigeria better.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, declined to comment on the matter, stating:
“I can’t speak on matters like this. I don’t speak for the coalition movement.”
Efforts to reach Paul Mumeh, David Mark’s media aide, were unsuccessful, but a reliable source close to the former Senate President confirmed that the role had likely been accepted:
“Yes, that may be true. But wait until next week for official confirmation.”
In reaction, APC’s Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the coalition as inconsequential and destined to fail.
“You see, in my language, Hausa, there is an adage: What the elder sees while sitting, the young cannot see even while standing. The fact that Aregbesola and the other man turned down the offer given to them says that the mission is dead on arrival.”
“So, there is nothing to worry about. In fact, ADC is not a platform that can fly. These people are making efforts, but their efforts will be in vain, and it will not in any way threaten or frighten the APC that is progressing.”
He continued:
“We are not worried about their shenanigans. We are not worried about what they are doing because we are confident that people are going to vote for us come 2027.”
“We are delivering; we are giving dividends of democracy, and we will continue to do so regardless of whatever efforts the coalition makes.”
“We welcome their efforts because it will only give us the strength and the stamina to repeat what was done in 2023. We have beaten them before. Beating them again will not be a problem.”
