A powerful lineup of Nigeria’s opposition heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, gathered at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday to unveil a new political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The high-profile event signals a major political realignment as prominent leaders across party lines come together to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Notable Attendees at the ADC Coalition Launch
- Atiku Abubakar – Former Vice President
- Peter Obi – Former Anambra Governor & 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate
- Nasir El-Rufai – Former Kaduna State Governor
- Rotimi Amaechi – Former Rivers State Governor & Ex-Minister of Transportation
- Senator Dino Melaye – PDP Chieftain
- Solomon Dalung – Former Minister of Youth and Sports
- Dele Momodu – Media mogul and PDP stalwart
- Senators Gabriel Suswam & Ireti Kingibe – Representing PDP and Labour Party
- Emeka Ihedioha – Ex-Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
- Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (Rtd) – Former Chief of Air Staff
Coalition Framework and Strategy
This broad-based coalition draws support from multiple parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and other reform-focused groups.
According to insiders, the coalition has adopted the ADC as its official platform to mount a unified challenge against the APC in the upcoming 2027 elections.
“The aim is to rally all credible opposition forces under one banner with a shared mission: rescue Nigeria from economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance,” a source close to the coalition said.
New Leadership in Focus
The coalition’s unveiling also marks the emergence of new interim leadership for the ADC:
- David Mark, former Senate President and ex-PDP stalwart, has been announced as Interim National Chairman.
- Rauf Aregbesola, ex-Governor of Osun State and former APC minister, now serves as Interim National Secretary.
The duo is expected to steer the coalition through strategic engagements, party restructuring, and candidate selection processes ahead of 2027.
Reactions and Related Developments
- PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, insisted the party remains “intact” and warned that “demarketers” would face consequences.
- Abia Governor Alex Otti dismissed speculation of defecting to the APC or any coalition, saying he remains committed to Labour Party values.
