A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the adoption of the party by the coalition of opposition politicians led by former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.
In a statement issued by Musa Isa Matara, the faction’s national publicity secretary, he made it clear that the party was not informed or involved in the decision to use ADC as a platform for the 2027 elections. He said that those pushing this plan are outsiders trying to take over the party for their own interests, not for the good of the members.
According to Matara, the party’s executives at the state level, along with the youth and women leaders and grassroots coordinators, were not involved in the discussions or decisions that led to the adoption of ADC by the opposition group.
In his words: “We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain.
“The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.”
The rejection came after opposition leaders announced that ADC would serve as the platform for their new coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. They also announced David Mark, a former Senate President, as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola, ex-Governor of Osun State, as interim national secretary of the party.
That meeting was held in Abuja and attended by top political figures including Atiku Abubakar, Sule Lamido, Uche Secondus, Babangida Aliyu, Sam Egwu, Aminu Tambuwal, and Liyel Imoke. It ended with the agreement to adopt ADC as the face of their coalition efforts.
Bolaji Abdullahi, a former Minister of Sports, was named the spokesperson for the group.
But this move has not gone down well with the faction of ADC led by Matara. He called the entire process a “hijack and imposition,” and made it known that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) did not approve or ratify any of the announced appointments.
He continued in the statement: “The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading.
“Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.
“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.”
The group also issued a strong warning to those entering the party under this coalition, noting that ADC has unresolved legal cases dating back to the 2023 elections.
“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” the faction stated.
