The opposition coalition has directed its members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, to resign from their current political parties and fully align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), its adopted platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
The directive was announced in Abuja on Thursday by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, after a caucus meeting that brought together senior party leaders and prominent political figures. He confirmed that all matters concerning the African Democratic Association (ADA) had been resolved, noting: “The coalition has rested everything concerning the ADA. That means they are not interested in the registration or otherwise of the association.”
Although the caucus ordered members to quit their existing parties, Abdullahi clarified that no specific timeline was set for compliance.
Since the coalition’s formal unveiling of the ADC on July 2, some opposition leaders have defected. However, Atiku and Obi have yet to officially sever ties with their former platforms. Atiku has exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but has not formally registered with the ADC, while Obi still maintains links with the Labour Party despite his alignment with the coalition.
Abdullahi further revealed that the coalition’s National Working Committee will soon release the schedule for primaries in Osun and Ekiti ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections, stressing that “all the presidential aspirants have agreed to support whoever wins the primaries.”
Those in attendance at the caucus included ADC National Chairman David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition PDP have dismissed the coalition’s moves, insisting it poses no threat to their dominance.
