The coalition of opposition forces has concluded plans to formally adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday as its platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027.
Naija News reports that following the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stalling the registration of All Democratic Alliance (ADA), coalition leaders have resolved to adopt ADC.
The ADC has gained traction as the new political bride following the collapse of talks with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Recall that the coalition was formally unveiled on March 20 with key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai as members.
Speaking with Daily Trust on Monday, Dr Umar Ardo, one of the coalition leaders, confirmed that while most leaders have indeed adopted the ADC, the coalition has also resolved to continue pursuing the registration of ADA.
“Most of the leaders have adopted ADC, and they will formally announce their position on Wednesday. But we’ve also agreed that both efforts (the ADC adoption and new party registration) can proceed simultaneously,” Ardo said.
He disclosed that those in favour of registering a new party remain confident that INEC will act in line with the law.
“The coalition secretariat is committed to doing everything right to meet the legal and procedural requirements,” he said.
He added that adopting the ADC while simultaneously pushing for ADA registration are complementary rather than contradictory.
Ardo said: “Registering a new party is a process – just like adopting an existing one. Both efforts involve grassroots mobilisation and membership drives. Ultimately, they converge at the same objective.”
Ardo cited two major reasons for favouring the registration of a new party. First, he expressed fears of “external manipulations” if the coalition simply fuses into an existing party.
“One of our main concerns is undue influence. Those opposed to a new party fear government interference with INEC. But fusing into an existing party actually exposes us more to manipulation, as you must now contend with entrenched interests.
“Instead of facing the law in a transparent registration process, you engage in transactional politics with existing party owners. The ADC, for instance, has executives elected in December 2022 who insist they won’t step aside until their terms expire in December 2026—well after the primaries. That’s a legal landmine that could result in litigation, and a single court judgement could upend everything,” he said.
His second concern was the potential exclusion of committed coalition members from the process. “You may end up with many people feeling left out,” he warned.
“If our sole goal is to remove Tinubu in 2027, then we’re no different from the political forces that removed Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. We must go beyond that. The coalition should spearhead a renaissance—to change how things are done in this country,” he said.
Meanwhile, another senior coalition member confirmed to Daily Trust that former Senate President David Mark has been pencilled down as interim national chairman of the ADC, replacing Okey Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founding leader and long-serving chairman.
Mark will lead the party through a transitional period and oversee the convention (expected in 2026) that will elect a substantive National Working Committee.
However, the role of interim national secretary remains unresolved following the rejection of the offer by former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
“It’s been agreed that David Mark will oversee the party’s restructuring and the organisation of its national convention, likely in 2026, which will elect a substantive chairman and other members of the National Working Committee. But the secretary position remains unresolved. The leaders have gone back to find a more acceptable candidate,” the source said.
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