Amid mounting conversations about potential opposition alliances, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has openly acknowledged efforts to collaborate with other political parties to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during the launch of three books in Abuja—Tax Tithe in Tight Economy, Optimising VAT for Business Growth and Economic Development, and Murky Waters of Politics—ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, confirmed the discussions.

The books were authored by the party’s national treasurer, Dr. Okey Ude.

Though Sani did not name specific figures involved, he emphasized that the ADP is keen on “ensuring the emergence of leaders that would turn around the fortunes of the country in the 2027 poll.”

He stated, “Yes, collaboration is the thing that gets things done. Even in business, it is not about domination; it is about collaboration. So, we will collaborate with those that we know share in our ideology, in our approaches because this country needs good leadership.”

He added, “So, our party is for good leadership because that is what the country deserves. This country is a promise of greatness, and you have to get great leaders.”

“The great leaders cannot come the way we are going. We must begin to change the system of recruitment of leadership, which means the process of conducting elections have to be changed.”

Dr. Ude, who also served as ADP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, echoed similar sentiments, stressing Nigeria’s potential for global relevance if led properly.

However, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, dismissed the opposition’s strategy, describing it as inconsequential. Addressing journalists at a media parley in Lagos, Uzodimma said the APC was unfazed by any coalition attempt.

He argued, “What is a coalition? We are practising partisan democracy, not coalition democracy. Partisan democracy requires belonging to a political party to contest elections. When your party is no longer viable and you seek political oxygen, you must first leave the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before discussing alliances.”

He continued, “I began by stating that you don’t change a winning team. We have seen where we were, where we are, and where we are headed. Ultimately, Nigerians will decide our fate. But that decision is years away. As a government, we still have over two years remaining in our term.”

On the State of Emergency declared in Rivers State, Uzodimma defended President Tinubu’s move, saying it was necessary to prevent the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the state legislature.

“The President, as Chief Security Officer, acted to quell tensions in Rivers. Had the House of Assembly impeached Governor Fubara, it would have set a dangerous precedent. It may be him today, another tomorrow. As a Christian, I believe leadership is divine. It is God who ordains,” he said.

He further explained the broader national interest in supporting the emergency declaration, especially in the context of crude oil production and security.

“When pipelines were bombed, we had to prioritise safeguarding production. As chairman of the National Economic Council’s subcommittee on crude oil theft, our efforts have been on how to boost output, and any actions threatening our quotas must be condemned,” Uzodimma said.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has instructed the Commissioner of Police to urgently put an end to what he described as the illegal imposition of taxes by recently reinstated local government chairmen under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The directive, issued on Sunday, follows reports of unauthorized tax collection and alleged forgery of official council documents by the APC-affiliated chairmen, particularly in Boripe Local Council.

According to a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Rasheed Olawale, Adeleke emphasized that these actions threaten peace and order at the grassroots.

He said the commissioner should invite the implicated chairmen for questioning over their roles in the use of fake documents to collect revenue unlawfully from market operators.

“This should stop forthwith,” the statement read, quoting Adeleke’s stern warning.

“Is this the reason for illegal occupation of council secretariats? Is this all about extorting the people and imposing pain and suffering on them?” the governor asked.

He added that the activities not only violate legal provisions but also undermine the judicial process, especially given that the APC has an active appeal regarding the removal of its chairmen.

“This development is capable of jeopardising the sustenance of law and order at the grassroots level,” the statement noted.

Governor Adeleke also directed his Special Adviser on Security to coordinate with the police chief to enforce the new order.

He expressed dismay at what he called “the brazen imposition of hardship and pains on the people through illegal revenue and tax collections.”

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) about Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South, claiming the veteran lawmaker is already aligning with the opposition coalition championed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

“Let me tell you today and I want everybody to hear, especially the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje.”

“Senator Ali Ndume’s spirit and soul are with the coalition; it is his body that is in APC. He is already going,” Bwala stated during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

He went on to add, “It is better the way (Nasir) el-Rufai did: just say I am leaving. You’d give more honour and credit to el-Rufai that he didn’t feel he could stay and be a snitch.”

Ndume, who is widely regarded as the longest-serving senator since the return to civilian rule in 1999, has recently taken positions at odds with the presidency.

On Friday, he openly criticized President Tinubu’s threat to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, urging the president instead to prioritize emergency declarations on the economy and national security.

The senator also implied that Tinubu’s political standing might be in jeopardy without the support of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

His remarks followed a high-profile visit by opposition leaders—including Atiku Abubakar—to Buhari in Kaduna.

This development comes as opposition parties intensify efforts to forge a formidable alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On March 20, 2025, a major step was taken when Atiku, Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other political heavyweights officially announced a coalition aimed at unseating Tinubu.

The coalition is looking to harness the over 12 million combined votes Atiku and Obi garnered in the 2023 elections—votes that exceeded Tinubu’s tally by more than four million, even though the APC candidate was declared winner by INEC.

Internal conflicts and leadership disputes within the PDP and LP, as well as grievances among APC loyalists, appear to have turned the Social Democratic Party (SDP) into an attractive alternative.

El-Rufai and some of his allies have already joined the SDP, with speculations suggesting that both Atiku and Obi may also make similar moves.

However, neither politician has confirmed any formal defection at this time.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that President Bola Tinubu traveled to France for medical treatment.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Bwala criticized the spread of misinformation online, saying, “Sometimes on social media, somebody will be tweeting, you don’t even know who the person is; it can be somebody who has mental health somewhere. You just see that information is coming out.”

“The president did not go to see a doctor; he’s on a working visit and we have been publishing his activities,” he added, stressing that the trip was for official purposes.

President Tinubu departed Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for a brief working visit to Paris, France, according to Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

A video released by the Presidency showed Tinubu exchanging pleasantries with senior government officials before boarding the presidential aircraft.

Onanuga explained that the trip would serve as a retreat for the president to assess the implementation of his administration’s ongoing reforms and strategize ahead of the second anniversary of his tenure.

Tinubu is scheduled to return to the country by April 16, 2025.

Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has strongly criticized a U.S court ruling that directed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other drug enforcement agencies to release any records they have concerning President Bola Tinubu.

The order was issued by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The judge ruled that withholding the records was unjustifiable, stating that protecting such information from public disclosure is “neither logical nor plausible.”

The court’s decision came in response to a legal challenge by Aaron Greenspan, who accused U.S. law enforcement agencies of violating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Greenspan’s petition is believed to be tied to the widely reported forfeiture of $460,000 by Tinubu to the U.S. government in 1993, linked to narcotics trafficking allegations.

Reacting to the development, Bwala dismissed the ruling outright, labeling it “mischievous and politically mechanised nonsense.”

He also questioned the timing and visibility of the ruling in the media, saying, “They claim the order was given on Tuesday, but it never saw the light of the media until Sunday.”

Bwala further accused political opponents of exploiting the issue for attention: “There is nothing these opposition under the auspices of coalition for a wild goose chase cannot try to do to keep relevance.”

The Presidency has formally dissociated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from a wave of campaign billboards for the 2027 elections currently surfacing in parts of the country.

Notably, in Abuja, the Airport Road has seen the emergence of large Door-to-Door campaign billboards prominently featuring President Tinubu, suggesting the start of an early re-election drive.

In response, the Presidency, through a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, expressed concern over the trend, saying it had observed “with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.”

He noted that “some of these billboards with pictures of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emblazoned on them are springing up in Abuja and Kano in particular.”

While acknowledging the enthusiasm of loyal supporters, the Presidency cautioned against any breach of electoral regulations.

“While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land,” Onanuga stated.

He further explained that such actions go against Nigeria’s electoral guidelines: “The electoral law that guides the conduct of elections and political campaigns forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections.

“Premature campaigning can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create unfair advantages. As law-abiding leaders, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima do not support any action that undermines our institutions and the electoral process.”

Onanuga emphasized that no official re-election campaign had been authorized.

“Until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sets the timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not endorsed or authorised anyone or any group to mount a 2027 campaign for him through any media channel—be it Out-of-Home, print, digital, radio, or television.”

He called on those behind the campaign to stop their activities: “Therefore, we urgently call on individuals and groups funding this 2027 political campaign through the ongoing deployment of materials on billboards nationwide to cease immediately.”

Onanuga concluded by reiterating the administration’s current priorities.

“President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are fully committed to delivering the ongoing task of nation-building they have set for themselves. This commitment is evident in their focus on economic revitalisation, human capital development, infrastructural renewal, social investment, and national security.

“When INEC signals that the processes for the 2027 elections can start, President Tinubu will duly inform Nigerians of his plans.”