ADC Coalition Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead of 2027 Elections
Abuja, July 7, 2025. Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape is heating up as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ramps up efforts to consolidate its presence by reportedly taking over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structures in several Northern states. The move heralded as a tactical repositioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, has sparked controversy, denials, and fierce pushback from major political actors.
Although ADC claims it has successfully absorbed PDP structures in Yobe, Gombe, and Adamawa, political analysts suggest the development may be less about strategic coalition-building and more about a desperate grab for relevance in an increasingly fragmented opposition bloc.
Coalition or Convenience?
According to Paul Ibe, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the alignment signals momentum in opposition unity, with Atiku praised for orchestrating the coalition. Ibe compared the merger’s challenges to a “young marriage,” complete with compromise and cultural negotiation.
However, critics have dismissed the rhetoric as a smokescreen for recycled elite interests. With most of the key players being political veterans, some question whether this movement truly represents the fresh start Nigeria needs or is merely a vehicle for older politicians to remain relevant.
PDP Downplays Defections
In response, Imo PDP Chairman and head of the PDP State Chairmen Forum, Austin Nwachukwu, described the defections as “good riddance,” accusing defectors of chasing retirement funds rather than public service. He dismissed the reported losses as “fake news,” asserting that PDP remains intact.
Zulum, Obi Distance Themselves
Amid rumors of mass defections, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum vehemently denied any plan to leave the APC, calling such claims a fabrication by “political jobbers.” Peter Obi of the Labour Party also clarified his position, stating he remains within the LP but supports a broader coalition that adopted the ADC as a political platform.
Obi emphasized that the coalition was formed not for personal ambition, but for Nigeria’s rescue. Yet, his remarks on aligning with figures from failed past administrations drew criticism. “Experience from failure is still valuable,” Obi argued, though many Nigerians remain skeptical about trusting the same individuals blamed for national decay.
APC Dismisses Coalition as Political Theatre
APC National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, slammed the so-called coalition as a fraudulent narrative designed to deceive voters. “This isn’t a coalition. It’s an exodus of displaced politicians trying to rebrand their failures,” Basiru said. He accused opposition figures like Nasir El-Rufai and Atiku of masking defections as coalition politics.
Wiki Launches Scathing Attacks
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike didn’t hold back in a sermon-style takedown of prominent ADC coalition members. Wike mocked former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola’s inability to resolve passport delays and chastised former Vice President Atiku for serial party-hopping.
“You want to rescue Nigeria? Rescue yourself first,” Wike snapped. He questioned the credibility of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi, accusing them of presiding over years of rot and now pretending to offer solutions.
Wike further derided claims that former leaders are now championing reform, pointing to their past failures in office and the debts accumulated under their watch. His comments, laced with sarcasm, reflected growing internal resistance to what many see as an opportunistic alliance lacking ideological clarity.
ADC Accuses FG of Political Showmanship
Meanwhile, the ADC launched a counterattack on the Federal Government, accusing it of prioritizing media optics over real solutions. In a blistering statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s interim spokesperson, claimed the government only began addressing food insecurity due to electoral pressure.
He alleged that the APC had deliberately ignored Nigeria’s economic collapse until it sensed the threat of a united opposition. “They didn’t act out of concern for hungry citizens; they acted out of fear of 2027,” Abdullahi said.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections, the lines between reform and self-preservation blur dangerously. While ADC parades itself as a coalition for national salvation, its membership, largely made up of political veterans with questionable legacies, raises legitimate doubts about its sincerity.
Likewise, the APC’s attempts to downplay the movement reek of the same fear it accuses the opposition of exploiting. What is clear is that Nigeria’s political elite, regardless of party, continues to play chess with the nation’s future while ordinary citizens suffer under crushing economic realities.
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ADC Coalition Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead of 2027 Elections