The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been chosen as the main coalition party to run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, according to sources from the camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other influential political figures.
A meeting on Tuesday night was a major milestone in the continuing coalition efforts, according to several people close to Atiku and Obi’s camps who talked to Punch on condition of anonymity because they lacked formal authority.
The leaders of the coalition decided at this meeting to make ADC the focal point of their political partnership.
According to the sources, ADC was already working to strengthen and reorganize itself in anticipation of the 2027 election, and formal statements regarding the changes were anticipated in the days ahead.
In a statement released during an event on Wednesday, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai confirmed the meeting, stating that coalition leaders met at 8 p.m. on Tuesday to finalize important decisions intended to overthrow President Tinubu in 2027.
El-Rufai emphasized that securing Tinubu’s return to Lagos by the next general election is the coalition’s top priority.
In an interview with Punch, ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu also affirmed that the party is presently in coalition talks with Atiku, Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State, and other major leaders. Prior to the 2027 election, these talks are a part of larger initiatives to fortify opposition unity.
In an interview with Punch, Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized the opposition alliance in response to the coalition’s increasing traction, referring to President Tinubu as the “true father of all coalitions.”
According to Basiru, Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders are doomed to lose the 2027 election.
The alliance to challenge President Tinubu in 2027 was made public by Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and other major figures on March 20.
With differing views on the coalition’s prospects and approach, the announcement generated intense discussion over the possibility of opposition unity.
With both parties considering the ADC as their coalition platform, a source told Punch on Tuesday that Peter Obi is conferring with his supporters to determine whether to accept Atiku’s offer of the vice presidential post.
“Last night in Abuja, the coalition leaders from the Obi and Atiku camps met to review all the issues and the major parties,” he said. Following their talks, they decided that the ADC ought to serve as the primary platform for the alliance.
They agreed to develop a plan for an alliance between ADC, SDP, and other platforms if ADC is declared as the main coalition platform in the coming days, despite the fact that several of the leaders, like El-Rufai and others, are already members of the Social Democratic Party.
I am aware that funds have already been set aside to reorganize the ADC and that plans are underway to alter the party’s National Leadership and Board of Trustees. In the upcoming days, these modifications will be made public.
But for coalition patriots, they have selected the party as their main platform. After being informed, their supporters are getting ready to join the party and assist in its transformation.
The coalition leaders decided to guarantee an equal playing field for all, irrespective of their geographical origin zone, according to another source.
“The camps met last night and decided to use the ADC as their platform,” he said. No definitive decision has been reached, despite the fact that the idea of a one-term presidency and a vice-presidential position is still being discussed.
“Consequently, they decided that the ADC’s coalition efforts will guarantee fair competition for all players, particularly those vying for the presidency, irrespective of their geopolitical background.”
In confirming the meeting, El-Rufai said the coalition’s goal is to overthrow President Tinubu and guarantee his return to Lagos in 2027.
The former governor of Kaduna State stated that information about the meeting will be released in the next few days in a video that was uploaded on the 𝕏 account @AbdulRasheeth on Wednesday.
“There was a very important meeting of the coalition we are building to ensure that President Tinubu returns to Lagos yesterday at 8 p.m.,” El-Rufai said, obviously outlining the challenges he had before being able to attend the Katsina gathering.
I had to go to that meeting at 8 p.m., but we will give you additional information later.
Speaking to Punch about the development, the ADC National Chairman said that party chieftains tasked with the assignment had been engaging in talks with other coalition leaders, but he denied knowing about the meeting yesterday.
Nwosu disclosed that the ADC has been in discussions with Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and others, and he expressed confidence that they will effectively save Nigeria if they all work together.
ADC National Chairman added, “I am aware of the meeting that ADC chieftains are attending with some coalition leaders. Not just before this election, but for many years, ADC has participated in different coalition talks.
However, we are speaking with political parties, patriots, and other interested parties regarding this election. In a matter of days, rather than months, the public will be informed of the outcome of our conversations.
“We established a committee for this aim in our capacity as National Chairman. All patriots who are interested in saving this nation are being contacted by our committees. We’re talking to more than just Atiku, I can assure you. Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi, and other others are also being involved.
“We are having conversations with ardent patriots and leaders of political parties. We are confident that we can deliver this nation if they all cooperate.
When asked if Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders wanted him and Mani Ibrahim, the chairman of the board of trustees, to resign in order to restructure the ADC, Nwosu brushed the topic away as conjecture.
He did, however, stress that they are prepared to give up anything in order to aid in Nigeria’s rescue.
“That’s speculation,” he replied. However, I can promise you that we are totally dedicated to saving the country and prepared to sacrifice everything, including ourselves. We are prepared to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to advance this nation.
There are more than one or two parties involved in this national rescue discussion. Parties, civil society organizations, and other important groups are all involved.
“ADC is prepared to provide whatever assistance is required to make this happen. The party for a rescue effort has been established.
In an interview with Punch, Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media adviser, discussed the coalition and said that leaders and political parties from different backgrounds are taking part.
“To be completely honest with you, I am not aware of that,” he stated. I can’t talk about something I don’t understand. I am aware that we are negotiating with political parties and patriots to save Nigeria.
We must believe His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, when he says that all party leaders and stakeholders are a part of this coalition; there are no exceptions. As of yet, no firm decision has been made.
Regarding the political platform, we’re making progress and will shortly update the public. There is a pan-Nigerian movement behind these coalition activities. Everyone who supports the goal of rebuilding and restoring the nation will be able to locate housing.
That’s our location. The goal of this partnership is to fulfill the mandate to rebuild Nigeria.
According to Peter Ahmehn, the National Secretary of Coalition for United Political Parties, Obi and his followers continue to be Labour Party members.
“I know the coalition drive is still going on,” he remarked. However, I don’t have access to such information regarding yesterday’s meeting.
“Mr. Peter Obi, myself, and the rest of our staff are dedicated to the Labour Party, as I previously stated. We are here to support and advocate for the Labour Party’s beliefs because we are its members.
According to Mark Adebayo, the national publicity secretary for the CUPP, Nigerians will soon be updated on the coalition’s progress.
Adebayo emphasized in an interview with Punch that Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders are dedicated to save Nigeria from President Tinubu’s failing APC government.
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“What I can tell you is that we are in the midst of ongoing discussions, and they are at their height right now,” he said. Nigerians would soon be aware of the platform as well as everything else.
“The stakeholders and coalition leaders won’t be sidetracked. They are actually committed to working together to free Nigeria from President Tinubu’s failing APC regime.
“Any details you require on the coalition movement will be released shortly. We are aware that Nigerians are fed up with the APC and want to hear from us, but be assured that we will soon brief the country.
In an exclusive interview with Punch, APC National Secretary Basiru responded to the alliance’s decision by saying that the former vice president and other opposition leaders will lose again in 2027 because their coalition is not led by the interests of Nigerians.
“If they are, President Tinubu is the grandmaster of coalitions,” he said, adding that they are not creating any coalitions. He is a leader of the National Democratic Coalition, which served as the cradle of alliances that contributed to the overthrow of the military.
“So, how can they oppose the grandmaster of coalitions with a coalition? Additionally, our party has a lot of experience building coalitions.
Our party was the first to establish a congress composed of prominent political groups. The lies they claimed about winning the 2023 election are now being exposed, and Nigerians should be aware of this.
The alliance leaders will lose the 2027 election, according to Basiru, who counseled Atiku, Obi, and others to rejoin their parties.
The national secretary of the APC said, “Why are they discussing a coalition for 2027 if they really think they won the 2023 election? Simply returning to their political parties is what they ought to do.
In actuality, however, they lost the 2023 election, and with God’s blessing, they will also lose the 2027 election, with President Tinubu of the APC emerging victorious.
“This so-called coalition or arrangement is motivated by excessive ambition and a sense of entitlement rather than love for Nigeria.”
