After weeks of discussions on whether to align with an existing party or await the registration of a new vehicle, northern leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the official platform for a proposed coalition ahead of the 2027 election.

The group, which initially had plans to split into three parties pending the 2026 INEC notice, instead came together last Saturday for a consultative session led by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Participants included PDP’s Umar Bature, Aliyu Goronyo, and Kebbi State chairman Dr Ibrahim Mera, who emphasised regional unity.

“Only a united political front could rescue Nigeria from the misgovernance of the APC,”
said Mera, affirming Kebbi’s commitment.

In Abuja, John Chuma Nwosu, ADC’s gubernatorial candidate in Anambra, confirmed the platform’s selection and dismissed the ADA registration’s threat. He explained:

“ADC was ready, tested and trusted as an existing political party … ADC has been a long-established and nationally recognised party. It has never been deregistered … Quite on the contrary, ADA is an attempt to register an entirely new party … ADA will have to cross the high hurdles of registration to get to where the ADC is currently.”

Speaking on ADC’s new leadership, he added:

“Politics is dynamic, leadership changes are routine, as long as they conform to established norms … Anambra will be the first test case … ground zero for ADC and the coalition partners … We will welcome those who have joined or … may wish to join the coalition under ADC.”

Meanwhile, at another gathering of PDP heavyweights—including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Prince Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, and others—a communiqué read by Mark criticised the APC and expressed deep concern over the PDP’s decline:

“Our dear party has never been the same again … The vision of the founding fathers has been eroded, and the APC-led federal government is using state institutions to stifle opposition and destroy democracy.”

They also took aim at the current government:

“The PDP, with its organic structure, capacity, and history, remains the most credible platform to lead this charge … However, it must be rebuilt through unity and strategic alliances with other pro-democracy forces.”

Aliyu Audu, a former Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs, has revealed that during his entire tenure as a presidential aide, he never had a single meeting with the President.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Audu said President Tinubu was highly inaccessible, even to those working closely within the corridors of power.

“I didn’t meet him for once all through my stay as one of his assistants,”

Audu said bluntly during the interview.

The former aide, who recently resigned from his position, described the President’s style of leadership as disconnected from those around him.

He expressed concern that Tinubu surrounds himself with a select group of individuals, rather than engaging broadly with his team or the Nigerian people.

According to Audu, such a leadership approach is not what the country needs as it looks toward the 2027 general election.

“In 2027, Nigerians need a leader who would make himself accessible to the people and not to a select few,”
he stressed.

Audu went on to declare his intention to actively oppose Tinubu’s re-election, citing the President’s inaccessibility and lack of inclusive governance as key reasons.

His remarks come amid growing criticism of the current administration’s handling of key national issues, with some former insiders—like Audu—now publicly voicing dissent.

Senator David Mark, a former Senate President, and Rauf Aregbesola, ex-Governor of Osun State, have emerged as interim Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has now been adopted as the official political platform for a growing opposition coalition aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

According to credible sources present at a closed-door meeting held late Tuesday in Abuja, the decision was unanimous among coalition leaders.

These individuals, who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly, revealed that former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi has also been appointed as interim National Publicity Secretary.

“We just concluded a meeting tonight. Mark and Aregbesola have been appointed as the ADC Interim National Chairman and National Secretary,”
one of the sources disclosed.
“This will be officially unveiled tomorrow (Wednesday), so we are on track.”

DAILY GAZETTE had earlier reported exclusively on May 19 that the coalition led by figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, ex-Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and others—had settled on ADC as its platform after weeks of internal consultation.

Confirming the report, Kola Ologbondiyan, a former aide to Senator Mark and one-time PDP National Publicity Secretary, posted via his verified X account:

“African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political party for the coalition. The party has elected Sen. David Mark as the Interim National chairman and Ogbeni Raud Aregbesola as the interim National Secretary.”

The coalition, which was initially unveiled during a strategic meeting in Abuja on March 20, has been touted as a potential game-changer in the 2027 election cycle.

Despite mixed public reactions, the idea of a united opposition has gained traction in political circles.

Though Aregbesola initially declined the secretary role, sources revealed that pressure from coalition leaders ultimately convinced him to accept.

“You know Aregbesola rejected it some time ago, but he was prevailed upon by stakeholders, so he has accepted to serve in that capacity,” another insider said.

“All of this, and more, will be made public tomorrow. Former Minister of Sport, Bolaji will serve as National Publicity Secretary.”

With Ralph Nwosu, the former ADC National Chairman, stepping aside to make room for the interim leadership, the coalition is now set for a formal unveiling in Abuja.

The opposition’s effort comes amid growing discontent with President Tinubu’s administration, which, while recording some achievements, has been persistently criticised by various opposition parties and civil society groups.

A major political realignment may be underway as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, several former governors, and other prominent figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have signaled their intention to leave the party.

This development was revealed in a communique released after a high-level meeting held in Abuja.

The session was attended by senior PDP stakeholders including Atiku and David Mark, among others.

According to the communique, shared by notable publisher Dele Momodu via his social media platforms, the party is no longer what it once was.

“The PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity, and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self.”

The statement attributed the party’s current state to pressures exerted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming the administration’s tactics have undermined the PDP’s cohesion.

“The heatwave unleashed by the APC Federal government through threats, blackmail and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP.”

In light of these concerns, the attendees of the meeting have resolved to take decisive steps moving forward.

“The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition,” the communique read in part.

The mention of a coalition hints at an emerging political front, which the PDP defectors may soon embrace in a bid to reshape the country’s opposition landscape.

The Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Bukar Dalori, has dismissed concerns over the political coalition reportedly led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing it as inconsequential outside Abuja.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday, Dalori said that the coalition has not gained any traction across the country, stressing that the APC remains focused and unshaken.

“We are not in any way threatened by the so-called coalition. We want to show not only Nigeria but the whole world that our politics is people-oriented,” he stated.

Dalori criticized the coalition’s lack of appeal to the masses, adding that the APC already has the advantage of being a party born from a successful merger of multiple political groups.

“They have nothing marketable to sell to people. We [APC] that came through merger of political parties already enjoy that advantage. They can’t do anything to us,” he said.

He further played down the relevance of the coalition outside the nation’s capital.

“Nobody is talking about this coalition except in Abuja. And even in Abuja, they are secluded in a hotel, and when they are eventually defeated in elections, they will leave the country,” Dalori added.

Addressing speculations about internal strife in the APC, particularly after a tense North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe, Dalori insisted there is no crisis within the party.

“I don’t see that as an issue. We are all one and we still work together as a team,” he explained.

Dalori officially assumed the position of APC National Chairman on Monday following the resignation of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

He noted that the recent wave of defections into the APC is a sign of the party’s growing strength.

“I am also appealing to those who are yet to join to quickly do so. Those who think our party will eventually explode are wrong because we have woven it with unbreakable thread,” he said.

Emphasizing the party’s commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Dalori said their political mission remains centered on engaging citizens and strengthening grassroots support.

“Politics is about showing concern and talking to people, explaining to those who do not understand. The President has good plans for the country through his Renewed Hope agenda, and that is our priority now. We are duty bound to support him and sell the idea to our people,” he concluded.

The Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), formerly known as the Labour Party Patriotic Members Congress, has declared its support for a growing political coalition aiming to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by Luka Ikechukwu of Pointsman Projects Media, a civic advocacy group promoting good governance, the LPPMC reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing nationwide support for what it described as “well-meaning and public-spirited Nigerians” coming together to rescue the country from the current administration.

According to the statement, the LPPMC was instrumental in galvanizing public support for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

The group now plans to utilize its extensive grassroots reach for broader political influence.

“Our Congress is ready, willing, able, and committed to deploy its structures across all six geopolitical zones, the 36 states, the FCT, and the 774 local government areas in support of the coalition and in pursuit of responsible and responsive governance,” the statement read.

With an eye on national transformation, the LPPMC emphasized that it would contribute both its wide base of supporters and financial resources toward the success of the alliance.

The group highlighted the principles guiding its involvement, stating that its alliance with any coalition would rest on shared ideology and vision.

“This must be different from the current order where leaders have failed in accountability. We shall mobilize our structures to support the genuine effort of progressives to rescue the nation,” the statement added.

Speaking further, the National Coordinator of LPPMC, Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, reiterated the group’s dedication to fostering democratic accountability and leadership that prioritizes the needs of the people.

“Our dear nation, and all those in leadership—whether in government or the opposition—must embrace the progressive and patriotic ideals that define LPPMC as a credible vehicle for national rebirth,” Okundaye said.

He also expressed optimism for the 2027 elections, stating that the LPPMC remains fully committed to working with “like-minded forces” to deliver a new political direction for Nigeria.

The group described its current efforts as part of a long-term mission to redefine governance in the country.

LPPMC concluded by stressing its resolve to be a key player in the coalition’s strategy for ushering in “a new dawn” and ensuring that future leadership is “people-centered and policy-driven.”