As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, have shifted their focus from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the potential platform for a united political front.
Sources close to the coalition talks told DAILY GAZETTE that the decision to abandon the SDP followed concerns about the party’s growing internal instability and alleged infiltration by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition leaders viewed the SDP as compromised and unsuitable for the scale of their planned political realignment.
“The Social Democratic Party was part of the plans before now, but it seems the ruling APC has also infiltrated the party. So, they are tilting towards the ADC.” a senior member of the coalition disclosed.
Talks within the coalition have intensified over the past few months, with stakeholders agreeing on the need for a “clean, credible, and ideologically aligned” platform.
The ADC, which recently announced the onboarding of 21 former national chairmen of deregistered parties, is now being positioned as the anchor for a new mega party.
The former PDP and Labour Party candidates, Atiku and Obi respectively, are said to be finalizing terms of a one-term power rotation deal, with Atiku reportedly agreeing to serve just four years before handing over to Obi.
Although not yet officially confirmed, insiders insist that both leaders are seriously considering the ADC as their new political home should reconciliation efforts within the PDP and LP collapse.
ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, confirmed that his party is in active talks with key figures in the opposition.
“The ADC leadership has held conversations with all major stakeholders in the coalition drive and even people in government,” Nwosu said, adding that the party was committed to building “a mega African political party”.
He also hinted at an imminent announcement:
“We are meeting frequently, and by the grace of God, before the end of this week, we will announce some of the recent developments to the entire world.”
While coalition negotiations continue, the PDP and LP remain embroiled in legal and leadership crises, further weakening their ability to stand alone in 2027.
Despite some resistance from within their former parties, Atiku and Obi reportedly believe the moment calls for sacrifice and unity.
“The leaders have all agreed that it’s only a coalition between Atiku, Obi, and others that can wrest power from Tinubu,” a coalition member said.
“So, they are crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s to finalise this.”
