July 02, (THEWILL) — The National Coalition of Political Opposition Movements in Nigeria has formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, which had previously considered floating a new party—All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—or adopting the Social Democratic Party (SDP), announced its decision following months of high-level consultations involving prominent political leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The unveiling took place on Wednesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where the entire ADC leadership structure at all levels formally resigned to pave the way for the new coalition.
Outgoing National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, who has led the party since its formation in 2005, announced the mass resignation, describing it as a “patriotic sacrifice” to unify the opposition and reposition Nigeria on the path of good governance.
Nwosu stated: “This is not about personal ambition but about Nigeria’s future.
“The ADC is now the coalition party to bring enduring democratic change. We must commit to moving Nigeria from the ICU to global reckoning. Nigerians are yearning for unity, and today’s event shows we are ready to sacrifice everything for the country.”
Nwosu added that the decision followed 18 months of consultations and over a dozen National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings, noting that the ADC had always believed in coalition politics and was well-positioned for this moment.
To steer the party through this transition, the coalition announced Senator David Mark as interim National Chairman, while former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was named National Secretary.
The coalition also confirmed that committees led by Dr. Bamidele Ganiyu Ajadi and Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmad have been engaging stakeholders nationwide to ensure inclusivity and lay the foundation for a credible, pan-African political movement.
The next steps, according to the organisers, include the formalisation of leadership structures and the selection of a consensus presidential candidate for 2027.
The coalition assured that the process would be transparent, inclusive, and reflect Nigeria’s diversity.
Wednesday’s event drew major opposition heavyweights across the political spectrum, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Also in attendance were Akeem Baba-Ahmed, former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, and publisher Dele Momodu.
Others included former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, former governors Liyel Imoke and Gabriel Suswam, Senators Ireti Kingibe, Eyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Tunde Ogbeha, Elisha Abbo, Bolaji Abdullahi, Lauretta Onochie, and Dino Melaye, among others.
The coalition’s formation marks a significant step in efforts to build a unified opposition front ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ADC now serving as the adopted vehicle for an alliance aimed at ending APC’s hold on power.
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