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2027: Coalition Movement Formally Adopts ADC As Official Political Platform
Following coordinated bid to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, the opposition coalition has formally adopted African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official political platform for the 2027 elections.
The coalition concluded plans to unveil the party today at a ceremony in Abuja, where it intended to make public the interim leaders and members of the party.
Already, upon the adoption of ADC, the coalition appointed former Senate President David Mark as its national chairman and former governor of Osun State and immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as national secretary, while former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, was made spokesperson of the party.
Some prominent leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on other members of the party to join the coalition ahead of the 2027 election.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; mark; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Aminu Wali; and former National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, were among the party’s leaders, who called for a rethink of the current political situation.
They contended that both the opposition PDP and the ruling APC had failed Nigeria and Nigerians.
Nonetheless, after a marathon meeting, which ended a few minutes past midnight, the coalition crossed a major hurdle in its quest to play a major role in the 2027 general election and its resolve to upstage the ruling APC.
The coalition had earlier indicated interest in registering a new party, All Democratic Alliance (ADA), after initial talks with ADC and Social Democratic Party (SDP) had broken down. But when it seemed like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was going to frustrate a new registration effort, it re-strategised and resumed talks with ADC.
While ADC is believed to share very strong affiliation with a former president (name withheld), the renewed talks with the original owners of the party seemed to have yielded some good, resulting in the eventual adoption of the party and the unveiling billed to hold at 2pm today.
Aregbesola was said to have initially turned down the nomination after someone believed to be close to him allegedly asked him not to accept it. But after much pressure, he eventually agreed to work with the coalition.
Accepting his appointment as national secretary, Aregbesola said, “It is with deep humility, profound sense of duty and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party that I accept the appointment as the national secretary of our great party.”
He spoke further, “Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, not a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.
“Throughout Africa’s history and, particularly, in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa – a 113 year-behemoth of party organisation that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials), (we have) seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle and people-centred struggle can achieve.
“The ANC is not perfect but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is, therefore, a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.
“Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties. Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells, merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people and even less for the country.
“That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve. As the national secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass; a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency, and national development.
“A party that listens and works for the people, not only during elections, but every single day. We must become an institution where internal democracy is not just preached but practised; intra-party competition is transparent, fair and just; all party structures from the ward to the national level function effectively and efficiently; young people, women, and the marginalised have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion.”
Aregbesola said, “All special and critical interests – security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc – must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.”
According to the former governor, “We will model international best practices in party organisation, administration and ethics. We will study what works, from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya, and adapt what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose and service to the people must define us.
“We must be the party that talks about public education and actually builds schools. That speaks of security and supports real policies to keep our communities safe. That believes in jobs and works to create them. That stands for Nigeria, not just during elections but in everyday governance. This is not an easy task. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice.
“But it can be done.”
Earlier, in a communique by the PDP stalwarts, who operated under the auspices of Concerned Leaders of the PDP, signed by Mark, the group said, “The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition.
“All coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security, national economy, and the political will to stamp out corruption embedded in our institutions.
“The coalition partners to work out the modalities of winning all elections taking into consideration local and national peculiarities.”
Other PDP leaders, who attended the meeting, were a former governor of Cross River State, Lylel Imoke; former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; former governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu; former governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal; and former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam.
Also at the meeting were former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri; Senator Tunde Ogbeha; Senator Ben Obi; Mrs. Josephine Anenih; former PDP National Financial Secretary, Abdullahi Maibasira; former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan; Senator Abdul Ninge; and former National Organising Secretary, Senator Austin Akobundu.
According to the communique, “The meeting of Concerned Leaders of our great Party PDP was called to discuss the disturbing condition the party has been sunk into.
“Since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, our dear party has never been the same again.
“Vested interests from within and the irresponsible actions of the APC-led federal government, which has been using state institutions to stifle and destroy the democracy, knows no bounds!
“The inability of PDP leadership to lead the party by its constitution, rules and regulations led it into a chaotic and undisciplined party.”
The communique stated further, “The vision of the founding fathers for which the party was established and the role it played in restoring Nigeria as a stable and united country and key player on the regional, continental, and global stage have been washed away, just as our role as the leader of the black race is now overtaken by smaller and less endowed countries.
“Painfully, Nigeria is now a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage. The meeting took time to deliberate deeply on the issues of democracy, national unity, national security, economy, corruption, governance, and other concerns plaguing our country.”
The communique stated, “Arising from the above, the meeting hereby resolved as follows: the APC government, which came into being on the false and evil propaganda, to save Nigeria from PDP, is now a disaster to our nation and, therefore, must be voted out of power.
“All indices of development that support the comfort and quality of lives of the citizens have collapsed, and life is now hell in Nigeria. 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 heatwave unleashed by the APC federal government through threats, blackmail and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP.
“The adopted political party for the coalition will be unveiled Wednesday in Asokoro, Abuja.”
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.
Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.
In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”
He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.
“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.
Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”
The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.
“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.
The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, is set to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025.
The development would put to rest months of speculation about where the former Governor of Anambra State would pitch his tent in the coming elections.
Reports claim that Obi would be defecting with serving senators and other lawmakers elected on the platform of the LP, as well as remnants of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East region.
Specifically, Obi would be defecting alongside the Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh; that of Anambra North, Tony Nwoye; Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe; PDP chieftain Ben Obi; and members of the Obidient movement in the region.
It is not clear if the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, is part of the planned movement to the ADC.
The governor was recently approached by the PDP to join the party and re-contest his current position in 2027.
Further reports quoted Obi’s spokesperson, Valentine Obienyem, as confirming the planned defection of his boss to the ADC.
“Yes, it is true,” he reportedly said on Sunday.
Senator Umeh said the event would hold in Enugu, adding that it would involve all Obi’s supporters across the South East region.
“They will come from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states to join those in Enugu, where this exercise will hold on 31st December,” he reportedly added.
Sources hinted that Obi, who has not hidden his intention to appear on the ballot in 2027, would contest the presidential ticket of the ADC.
On his part, Chief Chekwas Okorie, reportedly said that the expected formal defection of Obi to the ADC is a healthy development that could reshape the thinking and permutations of the 2027 general elections.
“I imagine that he would be defecting along with most of his associates and followers. I believe that a fortified and strong ADC will add value to the opposition and assuage the general fear of a possible one-party option to Nigerians come 2027. The APC, ADC and possibly the PDP locking horns in the 2027 democratic encounter promises a vibrant and robust electioneering campaign that will provide Nigerians the required options to make informed choices in electing their preferred leaders at all levels. I imagine that the APC leadership will return to the drawing table to map out the strategy to confront the emerging challenge. Nigerians are in interesting times,” Okorie stated.
National President of Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), Rev Okechukwu Obioha, vouched support for Obi to ensure he reaches the pinnacle of his political career. He, however, cautioned that the ADC should not compromise merit and integrity in the choice of its presidential candidate, stressing that Obi remains the “hope for the restoration of the country on the path of greatness.”
