A coalition of leading opposition figures is poised to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, pending final confirmation on Wednesday.
The decision marks a strategic shift from the earlier plan to form a new party — the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) — which has been delayed due to ongoing registration processes with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Multiple sources within the coalition confirmed that the ADC was chosen as a stop-gap platform after consensus-building efforts to align with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) broke down in May. The delay in ADA’s formal registration prompted key coalition leaders to settle on the ADC, which already meets legal requirements and possesses a functioning structure.
The coalition, formally unveiled on March 20, includes notable political heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Despite internal debates over the ideal political vehicle, the group now appears ready to make a public declaration in favour of the ADC.
A source familiar with the talks said the coalition settled for the ADC because it satisfies key criteria for a national opposition platform. “The leaders were clear on the characteristics they wanted in a party. ADC fulfilled those expectations,” the source told Daily Trust.
While the coalition prepares to formally embrace the ADC, efforts to register the ADA as a new political entity remain active. According to Dr. Umar Ardo, a prominent figure in the coalition, the two strategies are not mutually exclusive. “We’ve agreed that both can proceed simultaneously,” he said, confirming that most coalition members will publicly endorse the ADC on Wednesday.
Ardo disclosed that INEC had acknowledged receipt of the ADA registration documents via a letter dated June 27 and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony. The letter indicated that the application was being processed in line with the 2022 guidelines for political party registration.
Addressing concerns about internal conflict, Ardo insisted that pursuing both ADA registration and ADC adoption is a complementary move. “Building a new political force requires a multi-track approach. Mobilising grassroots support for a new party and expanding influence within an existing party are not mutually exclusive—they serve the same end goal,” he said.
Nonetheless, Ardo voiced caution over fully relying on an existing structure like the ADC. He warned that the party’s existing executive committee, elected in December 2022, will remain in place until 2026 — beyond the timeline for primaries. “That poses a legal risk and potential friction,” he noted.
He also raised concerns about the marginalisation of committed coalition members if they are forced to integrate into an already established party. “A new party would allow a fresh start and full inclusivity, without the baggage of existing interests,” Ardo said.
Rejecting the narrative that the coalition’s primary goal is to remove President Tinubu, Ardo—who leads the Northern League of Democrats—stressed that the group seeks a broader national transformation. “This isn’t about simply unseating a president. If that’s all we aim to do, we’re no different from those who removed Jonathan in 2015. Our goal is to change the country’s political trajectory,” he added.
While the ADC appears to be the coalition’s immediate vehicle for 2027, the long-term vision remains centered on building a credible, reform-oriented movement—whether through an existing party or a new one.
