The political movement opposing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a major step forward on Wednesday by taking full control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is now expected to serve as the platform for their campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a gathering held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, several big names in Nigerian politics—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, and some former ministers in the Muhammadu Buhari administration—joined forces under the ADC umbrella to begin their journey toward what they say is the revival of Nigerian democracy.
Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, who until now served as the National Chairman of the ADC, officially stepped down along with the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Saeed Baba Abdullahi. While addressing the audience, Nwosu noted that the party has been holding meetings for over a year and a half to build the coalition.
“We must agree to move Nigeria from ICU to global reckoning. For about 18 months, we have been on this journey of coalition, and we have had over 12 meetings of the National Executive Committee NEC. So, it is not about power that we are here today, it is about transforming our country,” Nwosu said.
He then introduced former Senate President David Mark as the new Interim National Chairman of the ADC and handed over membership cards to both Mark and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who was named Interim National Secretary.
David Mark, while speaking at the event, was direct in his criticism of the Tinubu administration. He claimed the president has completely taken over Nigeria’s democratic institutions in what he described as a move towards a one-party state.
“Let it be known to all that this coalition goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to build the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Today marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long, tedious and difficult journey. However, this is a journey that we are prepared to undertake,” Mark declared.
He went on to say, “It is on record that within two years of the current administration coming into power, it has hijacked all democratic structures.” According to him, Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” plan has become a disaster for ordinary Nigerians.
Mark said the president is more focused on maintaining power than solving the country’s deep problems. “This coalition is to prevent Nigeria’s descent into a one-party state,” he added.
He accused the government of ignoring the daily struggles of the people. “The Tinubu administration is corrupt and more concerned about the next election, while the majority of the people wallow in hunger and poverty, even as bandits continue to kill Nigerians,” he said.
Mark also criticized the National Assembly, saying it has lost its voice and now only praises the president. “The National Assembly has been reduced to cheerleaders and praise singers of the president,” he added.
“This coalition is therefore for all Nigerians who share in our belief that all of us have the patriotic duty to save our country,” Mark stated.
One of the coalition leaders, who spoke anonymously to VANGUARD, revealed that despite recent defections by opposition governors to the ruling APC, they were holding discussions with several APC governors in the North.
“If I told you the number of APC governors in the North who are talking to us, you would be shocked. So, there is no issue about us having support from across Nigeria. It is a straight fight between the North and the South. No governor is going to defect to the APC in the North,” the leader said.
But not everyone supports this new move. Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, spoke out sharply against the takeover, calling it illegitimate and ridiculous.
“It is with the greatest amusement that I watched the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar-led group announce their takeover of the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress. As is expected, I have been inundated with a lot of calls and messages seeking my reaction to the unfolding dramedy,” he said.
Kachikwu argued that Nwosu’s leadership had already expired in 2022 and should not have had the power to hand over the party.
“From the foregoing, I want to then pose the following questions: Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord?” he asked.
He accused the group of being out of touch with the needs of Nigerians. “These yesterday’s men who represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past have bought bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past. Nigerians have watched in amazement as this group of mostly geriatrics shopped around for a party to prosecute their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition,” Kachikwu added.
“We are a nation lacking in the basics, whose majority are poor, but here we are watching those who set our nation on fire saying they are the fire brigade. No, you are not; you are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birthright,” he continued.
Kachikwu concluded by urging them to leave if they refuse to follow due process. “If you seek to be a part of the ADC, do the proper thing and come through the front door. We are a party of decent and well-behaved people. Our brand of opposition is one that not only opposes but also proposes, something that your group is not conversant with. I strongly suspect that you will be shopping for another party very soon, and as you do that, we, the members of the African Democratic Congress, wish you Bon Voyage,” he said.
Chief Nwosu, the former chairman, was quick to dismiss Kachikwu’s claims and said he had no place in the new ADC.
“Anybody who writes anything or says anything against what we have done today is not an ADC member. Where has this person featured in any of our programmes or spoken for ADC? We shouldn’t be apologetic. We have to be ready for this battle,” Nwosu said.
The event was attended by several powerful political figures from different parties and past governments. Some of the names included:
- Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal
- Former Cross River Governor, Liyel Imoke
- Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal
- Former APC chairman John Odigie-Oyegun
- Former APC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi
- Ex-Ministers: Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, Solomon Dalung
- Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai
- Former PDP Chairman Uche Secondus
- Former Governors: Emeka Ihedioha, Jubrilla Bindow, Idris Wada
- Activist Aisha Yesufu
- Ovation publisher Dele Momodu
- Senators Dino Melaye, Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, Enyinnaya Abaribe
- Former Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar
- Many others including ex-governors, deputy governors, and senior party officials
