Crisis Looms in ADC as Faction Rejects Adoption by Atiku-led Coalition

A major crisis is unfolding in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the rejection by a key faction of the party over its adoption as the platform for a new opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The coalition, which includes political heavyweights such as former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, and ex-Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Liyel Imoke, had earlier announced its adoption of the ADC as the political vehicle to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

But in a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Musa Isa Matara, denounced the move, describing it as a hijack by elites with no mandate from the party’s grassroots structures. He said the development was carried out without due consultation with key stakeholders, including state chairpersons, national officers, youth leaders, women leaders, and ward executives across the country.

Matara warned that the ADC is not for sale and should not be used as a platform for political convenience, declaring that the party must not be turned into what he called “a dumping ground for expired politicians.”

He alleged that some individuals were attempting to sell off the party’s identity for personal gain and noted that the party’s ongoing legal disputes from the 2023 general elections make it an unstable foundation for any serious political alliance.

“This sudden adoption of ADC by the Atiku-led coalition is a betrayal of the values on which our party was founded. No proper consultation was made. Our members across the country are dismayed that a few individuals are trying to sell off the soul of the party in closed-door meetings. We reject this imposition in its entirety,” Matara said.

Despite the resistance, the coalition has proceeded with the announcement of interim leadership. Former Senate President David Mark has been named interim national chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as the group’s spokesperson. The appointments were made during a closed-door meeting in Abuja.

Meanwhile, some state chapters of the ADC have declared support for the coalition. In Kebbi State, party chairperson Hajiya Hawa’u Muhammad expressed full backing for the move and said she was ready to step down for broader unity in the party.

“As far as we in Kebbi are concerned, this coalition is in the best interest of Nigeria. I am personally ready to make any sacrifice necessary to ensure the opposition is strong enough to challenge the APC in 2027,” she said.

The opposing views between the national leadership and state chapters reflect a widening internal divide within the party. Political observers say the ADC could face deeper internal conflict unless reconciliation efforts are urgently made.

With legal questions unresolved and factional tensions rising, the planned official unveiling of the coalition in Abuja may now face delays. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet issued any statement regarding the development.