The African Democratic Congress (ADC), adopted as the official platform of Nigeria’s growing opposition coalition, is actively working to attract at least five sitting governors from PDP ahead of the 2027 elections, insiders have revealed to DAILY GAZETTE

Sources say the ADC sees the ongoing crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as fertile ground to convince governors to jump ship.

Already, five PDP state leaders have reportedly resigned to join the ADC.

At a Wednesday event, prominent coalition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark—formally brought ADC into the fold as their platform for 2027.

David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola were introduced as Interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

High-profile APC defectors such as John Oyegun, Abubakar Malami, and Rotimi Amaechi were also present and have since joined the ADC.

Additionally, former PDP leaders including Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-governors Sule Lamido, Liyel Imoke, Gabriel Suswam, Emeka Ihedioha, Babangida Aliyu, and Sam Egwu, have aligned themselves with the coalition.

DAILY GAZETTE also reports more recent defections from PDP officials in Benue, Niger, Kano, Gombe, and Borno states.

But the ADC’s rallying momentum has faced scrutiny.

PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum threatened to discipline those undermining the party, asserting that it remains united.

Pro-Tinubu commentator, Reno Omokri, dismissed the ADC as a gathering of “rejected politicians and former political office holders.”

APC’s South‑East Vice Chairman Ijeomah Arodiogbu added criticism, stating:

“The coalition is already starting on a bad footing. The party they have coalesced into is already having issues.”

“Some leaders of the party said they were not consulted and that they don’t want the newcomers… The lowest common multiple of the people driving the coalition is simply desperation for power. It is not about the Nigerian people… They don’t have anything to offer.”

Arodiogbu noted the absence of serving governors in the coalition and stressed the importance of such figures for electoral success.

DAILY GAZETTE spoke with an unnamed former Katsina senator who claimed:

“Five PDP governors have given us their commitment; they are going to join us, but they want to see the end of Wike’s drama in the PDP… What people don’t know is that some of the governors, including those in the APC, are supporting us.”

Another aide mentioned that coalition leaders were in discussions with seven governors, but did not disclose specific identities:

“Why are you interested in knowing the governors we’re talking to?… But I can tell you that we are talking to seven governors, and they are from the southern and northern parts of the country.”

Former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu declined to respond when approached.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu weighed in on Friday, warning that the coalition’s efforts would fail. He accused the ADC of merely seeking to distract President Tinubu:

“The target is to distract the Commander‑in‑Chief and derail the social and economic gains that we can see and feel, but President Tinubu knows the game and will never fall for their bait.”

According to Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu’s “track record, achievements, and reform‑driven agenda” will carry him through 2027.

PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba dismissed the claims as baseless:

“Whoever told you that (PDP governors will join ADC) is hallucinating. Our governors are united… If anybody is imagining that there will be defection… it will be in the realm of hallucination.”

Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Sule Lamido, has expressed willingness to support Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election provided the Labour Party leader emerges as the flag bearer of a broader coalition.

Lamido, in a statement, said his loyalty to PDP remains intact but emphasized the need to prioritize Nigeria’s future over ethnic or regional considerations.

“If the coalition produces Peter Obi or anyone else committed to rescuing Nigeria, I will support them. But I remain PDP. We should have outgrown tribal and regional sentiments. Leadership should be about competence and vision, not geography.”

“What has the North gained from producing the most presidents if the region remains underdeveloped? I’m open to any arrangement that can confront the APC and rescue Nigeria. I’ll support those who share that goal.”

He further argued that the PDP’s zoning arrangement was originally created as a temporary mechanism to heal national wounds after the annulment of the June 12 election.

“It was meant to be a healing mechanism, a temporary measure to restore trust. But now, it has become an albatross.”

Middle Belt Forum: Obi May Be the Only Trustworthy Option

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), through its National President Dr. Bitrus Pogu, suggested that Obi might be the North’s most viable option in 2027, citing his consistency and public trust.

> “I want to say that a drowning person wouldn’t mind even holding onto a straw thinking that it will save him. So, in the situation which the North finds itself in, I do not think that their choices are many.”

He added that while the North might still consider other figures like Atiku Abubakar or even former President Goodluck Jonathan, they are unlikely to succeed:

“Getting a Northerner to contest is a problem… they may still go for somebody in the South, either somebody who will promise them like Peter Obi or somebody like former President Jonathan if it is allowed, knowing that he cannot go beyond one term.”

But Pogu cautioned:

“In spite of his pronouncement, in spite of the fact that they may extract a written agreement from him, will they faithfully carry out their support promises…? Those are the options they have, because when people lack options, of course any option is a good option.”

Former Information Minister, Ibrahim Nakande dismissed Obi’s single-term proposal as political posturing:

“For someone to say he will do only one term is political. Will the people from his zone agree with that?”

However, he acknowledged Obi’s growing support base:

“He has support everywhere, even in the North if you look at the record in the last election. There is no way he won’t have support, it depends on his proposed policies and programmes, and it is up to the greater Nigerian people to decide.”

Elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai argued that President Bola Tinubu, if re-elected, is constitutionally limited to one more term and therefore more likely to hand over power in 2031:

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is therefore in the best position to honour an agreement to hand over four years after 2027 because even the constitution is there to compel him to do so.”

President of the Arewa Defence League, Alhaji Murtala Abubakar, strongly opposed the one-term proposal, calling it a threat to democracy:

“The idea that power must ‘rotate’ artificially restricts democratic choice and is no longer tenable in a modern Nigeria.”

He argued that performance, not regional origin, should determine leadership:

“Imposing an arbitrary one-term limit on a Southern president in 2027 undermines the will of the people… Nigeria’s challenges require the best leaders, not those selected merely to fulfill a zoning formula.”

Alhaji Muhammad Salihu Danlami, Speaker of the Arewa Youth Assembly, rejected the notion of a one-term presidency, citing past disappointments:

“The North succumbed to power of incumbency in 2011 and allowed President Goodluck Jonathan who promised Nigerians he would be a one-term president… only to seek re-election in 2015.”

He stated flatly: “The North will not accept any presidential candidates who will try to sell the idea of one term… The North will not support Peter Obi because of his type of politics of religion and ethnicity.”

From the Coalition of Northern Groups, Alhaji Jamilu Charanchi warned against blind trust in campaign pledges:

“Anyone who still believes in such promises without critical scrutiny is simply deceiving himself… Only time will reveal where the true allegiance of the North lies, not sweet words, but actions.”

Anthony Sani, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, viewed Obi’s promise as a sign of desperation:

“When aspirants pledge to do only one tenure, it makes me feel they are unduly desperate for power and not for service.”

He suggested the North may still favor President Tinubu over Obi:

“Unless President Bola Tinubu does so badly in his first term… I expect the North to prefer President Bola Tinubu… as against Peter Obi who can change his mind reminiscent of how President Jonathan changed his mind and contested in 2015.”

Bitrus Kaze, a former House of Representatives member and Obi supporter in 2023, called the one-term pledge “pacifying” but doubted its effectiveness:

“The north… may not be convinced… The law didn’t say a President can’t contest for the second term.”

Alhaji Tanko Yunusa, Global Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, expressed optimism about Obi’s growing northern appeal:

“Peter Obi’s offer to serve a single term… will undoubtedly assuage the concerns in some quarters… There is no doubt that Obi’s proposal is being well received in the North.”

He added “Only recently, the Pantami Emirate in Gombe State honoured him with a traditional title… Obi’s acceptance in the North… is far better in 2025 than what we saw during the 2023 elections”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State has kicked off the sale of nomination forms for aspirants interested in contesting the Ganye State Constituency by-election, scheduled for August 16, 2025.

Speaking on Friday in Yola, the state party chairman, A.T. Shehu, a lawyer, expressed strong confidence in the PDP’s readiness and enduring popularity in the state.

“We have received all materials needed for the primaries and have commenced the sale of nomination forms to aspirants,” Shehu confirmed.

Reiterating the PDP’s political dominance in Adamawa, Shehu stated, “Adamawa is a PDP state. From day one till now, the masses have continued to believe in our leadership on account of the party’s progressive path.”

Addressing reports of internal disagreements within the party, he downplayed their significance, describing them as part of the political process.

“Normal political rancour,” he said of the tensions, adding that “the so-called aggrieved faction has no real footing.”

When asked whether the recent defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the PDP could affect the party’s standing, Shehu was quick to reassure supporters.

“The masses of Adamawa are fully with the PDP. No party has ever truly held 100 per cent control of this state. Setbacks do not define who we are,” he said.

The by-election in Ganye became necessary following the death of Abdulmalik Jauro Musa, deputy minority whip of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, who passed away on May 24, 2024.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the vote to fill the vacant seat for August 16, 2025.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to make public the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic audit report.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Wike claimed the report has been “shelved to protect those who might be indicted in any form of fraud.”

Wike also leveled allegations against Rotimi Amaechi’s wife, suggesting she “benefitted from the government when her husband was in power,” though he did not provide evidence.

Highlighting the audit’s purpose, Wike said it “investigated the financial transactions and project implementations… from its inception in 2001 to August 2019,” with the aim of “identifying mismanagement, misappropriation of funds, and other irregularities.”

He added pointedly, “Let President Bola Ahmed Tinubu do us a favour and release the report of the forensic audit of the NDDC. Mr President should help Nigerians.”

He continued, “If they release it, I will resign as FCT minister.”

“Let them release the document, if what I am saying is not in the document, I will resign as the minister of FCT. I don’t worship the office.”

Wike contrasted his own background with alleged corruption: “I came from a comfortable home and did not need to steal any money from public funds.”

He accused Amaechi: “He is one of the most corrupt people.” He claimed he refused bribes and never “took from a contractor,” in contrast to Amaechi, and mocked Amaechi’s jealousy over his own Rolls-Royce: “His anger is that he saw me using a Rolls‑Royce—and so what? It was not given to me by a contractor; a contractor gave him, and that is a bribe.”

He also questioned Amaechi’s academic credentials, stating: “Amaechi went to Rivers State University, but he couldn’t pass.”

Wike’s remarks came a day after Amaechi praised his wife, calling her “almost an industrialist.” Wike replied to that assertion by insisting she “was a beneficiary of a monthly contract to train women of the Niger Delta.”

2020 NDDC Probe

The NDDC has faced similar controversies in the past. In July 2020, during a House of Representatives audit, then-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, famously claimed: “most of the contracts in the NDDC are given out to members of the National Assembly.”

The hearing also featured a dramatic moment when Daniel Pondei, then acting Managing Director of the NDDC, “slumped on his desk” following over an hour of intense questioning.

…Urges NASS To Act On Longstanding Agitation

The call for the creation of Adada State gained renewed momentum on Friday during the public hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution held by the National Assembly in Enugu.

Key figures including former Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Senator Okey Ezea, and Chief James Ugwu reaffirmed their strong support for the long-standing demand, arguing that Adada meets all constitutional criteria and deserves immediate approval.

Chief Nnia Nwodo led the charge, declaring that Adada is the most competent and prepared of all proposed states in the South-East.

He emphasized that the demand is rooted in constitutional merit and historical injustice.

“There are several reasons for the creation of Adada state. One, in the South-East, in the last creation of states, the northern part of Igbo, comprising Enugu and Ebonyi ended up with states while the rest of the southern parts of Igbo land got three states.”

“When you share things among your children and there is no equity you bring anger and desperation,” he said.

Nwodo referenced Section 8 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, stating that Adada had already fulfilled the required legislative support from members of both the National and State Assemblies.

“The state that we ask for, Adada state, has seven out of the 17 local governments in Enugu state. Six of the local governments are in Adada and one in Enugu East senatorial zone,” he noted.

Highlighting demographic imbalance, he added, “Out of the 17 local governments in Enugu State, we have only six but we have 54 percent of the population.”

“So the other two senators represent 22 percent each and our own senator represents 52 percent because they took away one local government to make up a senatorial zone.”

Nwodo recounted how Adada was recommended as the only viable new state in the 2014 National Conference under Justice Idris Kutigi, adding, “When Achike Udenwa was the Governor of Imo State, the entire Igbo met in Imo to choose one state and after a very long meeting they came to a resolution that it is Adada State, and that resolution up till today has not been revised.”

According to him, Adada represents the only colonial zone in northern Igbo land yet to become a state capital, making its creation a matter of historical justice.

“Adada is the whipping and neglected part of the South-East,” he asserted.

“I told you that we were not represented in the federal executive council. It was Silas Ilo and Jim Nwobodo at the time the local governments were created and they gave us six local governments. Imagine 54 percent of the state with six local governments.”

“This is unfair and Daniel has come to judgment with this National Assembly committee.”

On the viability of Adada, Nwodo cited rich natural and human resources: “The potential for Adada State is vast. We have oil and gas reserves. Anambra State is horizontally drilling our oil in Uzo-Uwani, we have the potential for viability, economically.”

“We have extensive land for agriculture; we have a navigable sea whose confluence ends in Rivers Niger and Benue.

“In manpower resources, we have one of the best universities, thanks to Nnamdi Azikiwe, and our people took to education and so we have many professors who can manage the state. I do hope that I have appealed to your conscience.”

Chairman of the Adada State Movement, Chief James Ugwu, supported Nwodo’s stance, noting that the quest for Adada began as far back as 1970, when a request was submitted to then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

“The creation of Adada State will resolve the internal imbalance in Igbo land with the northern Igbo (Wawa people) having three states to be at par with its southern flank of Igbo land that already has three states, while resolving the external imbalance of the South-East having six states as other regions in Nigeria,” he argued.

Echoing this position, Senator Okey Ezea, representing Enugu North Senatorial District, stated that Adada is the only proposed state in Nigeria that has met the full provisions of Section 8(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

“So what we are saying is that having met the provision of section 8 (1) of the 1999 constitution, the next thing is that our request should be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for referendum,” he said.

He further praised the current Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, saying, “It’s not just that the Governor is doing well, not just that he won his election but he is performing more than any other Governor.”

Nwodo, reiterating the central argument, said, “Igbos are a very important people of this country; our population is grossly underestimated because more than 50 percent of the Igbo live outside Igboland.”

“There is no part of this country that you go to and the majority of the population outside the indigenous population is not Igbo. It is our enterprise, our ways of life, it is our anxiety to break new grounds and most of these people register themselves in the states where they are.”

He concluded by affirming, “We approached the National Assembly under David Mark, under Ahmed Lawal and they gave us attention and considered our programmes and submissions but the government in power did not have state creation as paramount agenda as you appear to have now. We are hoping that your efforts will give us dividends.”

Ray Kene Ogbodo, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in the 2023 Enugu State election, has thrown his weight behind the emerging opposition coalition and its adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform.

In a statement released through his media aide, Mr. Azubuike Akam, Ogbodo hailed the coalition as a credible movement with the potential to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges—ranging from insecurity and hunger to leadership failures and governance deficits.

He expressed optimism about the coalition’s prospects for 2027, urging Nigerians not to lose hope.

“Within the group, there are notable individuals who will hold each other accountable because some of them have been there before, made some mistakes and now want to do it right and better,” Ogbodo said.

According to him, the vision of the coalition mirrors his own aspirations for the country. He stated his readiness to support any initiative or policy aimed at lifting Nigerians out of poverty.

“I would support any group and policy that would bring the Nigeria people out of abject poverty,” he said.

Ogbodo further praised the Acting National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, for delivering what he described as a transformative and motivational address. “Senator David Mark’s inaugural speech was hopeful, inspiring, powerful, and magnificent,” he said.

Calling for a united front, Ogbodo encouraged patriotic citizens across the nation to align themselves with the coalition’s programs and objectives.

“No single party or individual will succeed in defeating the APC-led bad government without deliberate support of the citizenry,” he said.

He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the coalition delivers on its promise of good governance and holds the ruling government to account.

“I encourage Nigerians to remain hopeful in the face of the current economic realities in the land, caused mainly by bad governance, leadership failure, poor economic growth, and development,” he stated.

Commending Nigerians for their resilience, he added: “I sincerely appreciate the endurance and perseverance of Nigerians over the years; poverty shouldn’t be an option.”

He described the coalition’s mission as a transformative one aimed at holistic national revival.

“The main goal for the opposition coalition is to lift many people out of abject poverty of the pocket, mind, body, and soul,” he emphasized.

Continuing, Ogbodo noted: “The mission is to develop Nigeria and to reposition the country on the path of growth, while lifting many people out of abject poverty, and from hopelessness to complete hopefulness.”

He also outlined the coalition’s broader development goals: “The focus is to build a multi-facet economy, modern infrastructure in urban and rural areas, focus on developing the agricultural sector, diversifying the energy sector by investing in renewable energy, improving the transport system, delivering a cleaner environment that would forestall the effect of climate change, creating a welcoming environment that will make Nigeria the destination of choice for tourists and investors.”

Hassan A. Saleh, a former member of the House of Representatives, has officially ended his 25-year membership with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing unresolved internal issues within the party.

In a resignation letter dated July 2, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Aiono Ward 2 in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Saleh outlined his reasons for departing.

He pointed to persistent internal conflicts and what he termed an “irretracable downward spiral” within the party.

“You are aware of my loyalty and dedication to the PDP since I joined party politics 25 years ago,” Saleh stated.

“Despite all the shenanigans that occurred during these 25 years of my sojourn in the PDP, I have remained loyal… and even expended substantial part of my hard-earned resources and time in building the party at both the local level as well as in the State.”

Saleh, who represented Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency during the 7th and 8th National Assembly, expressed disappointment in the PDP’s inability to resolve its internal divisions over the last two years, saying the party had arrived at a critical turning point.

He added that his decision came after considerable thought and discussions with close allies and family members.