The Presidency has dismissed the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the opposition coalition saying they cannot repeat the events that clinched victory for the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 General Elections.

Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare on Thursday wrote on X that the new coalition, unlike the 2013 APC merger driven by selflessness and national interest, is as an opportunistic alliance led by a politically isolated figure with personal ambition, lacking both a unifying leader and a compelling cause.

He further described the chief promoter of the coalition as a serial election loser, clutching at what he sees as his last shot at the presidency

Dare said, “The promoters of the new coalition like to draw parallels with what the APC achieved in 2013. But let’s be clear: this is not 2013—and this is not the APC.

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“In 2013, the merger that birthed the APC was driven by selflessness, national interest, and strategic discipline. The leaders at the time were willing to set aside personal ambitions for the greater good. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite commanding the loyalty of several sitting governors, chose to wait. He bided his time, played the long game, and focused on building a viable political platform. He had never lost an election, and he didn’t have to force his way in.

“Now contrast that with today’s coalition. The chief promoter is a serial election loser, clutching at what he clearly sees as his last shot at the presidency. Unlike Tinubu, he enters the coalition alone—without the backing of his state governor, his region, or any meaningful political structure. His ambition is personal, not patriotic. So also that of his many co-travelers.

“In 2013, the APC had a rallying figure in Muhammadu Buhari—a man seen as a symbol of integrity, and a national unifier with cult-like grassroots appeal. Today, no one in this coalition commands that kind of loyalty or trust. Not one of them could genuinely unite a ward, let alone a country. No one comes close to parading the democratic credentials of President Bola Tinubu.

“Most importantly, the APC coalition emerged to address real grievances: the constitutional denial of power to a region that had been unfairly sidelined and to end the 16 years of ruinous governance by the PDP. It was a coalition grounded in justice and balance.

“This new coalition? It’s purely opportunistic. The presidency already rests with the region rightfully due. And that’s where it will be till 2031. Heads up for Nigerians about ADC – There is no injustice to redress—only avarice ambition to satisfy,” he wrote.

The spokesperson for the opposition coalition, Bolaji Abdullahi, has explained why the group adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Abdullahi said the decision was based on the ADC’s openness to reform and alignment with the coalition’s shared ideals.

“When we began this process, we set clear parameters for the kind of party we were looking for,” he said. “Those who came from the APC rejected it, arguing that the party’s founding principles had been betrayed. PDP members felt their party, once a political giant, had lost its way. Labour Party members were also disillusioned. So, we agreed on common principles for moving forward.”

He stressed that any party the coalition embraced had to be willing to restructure itself around their vision.

“Unfortunately, hardly any existing party has that discipline and structure—nothing like the parties of the First and Second Republics,” Abdullahi noted.

While acknowledging the ADC is not a perfect fit, he described it as a unique opportunity for change.

“We found a party amenable to the kind of reform we envisioned. If you say it’s soft like clay because it can be moulded into a pot, then yes—that’s why we adopted it.”

Responding to criticism that political veterans are dominating the coalition, Abdullahi said:

“This is nobody’s coalition. David Mark will serve as interim national chairman—not as a front for Atiku. It is a coalition of people. He was chosen because everyone has confidence in him. We’ve tried the party-of-big-men model before—it failed.”

On governance, Abdullahi criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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“Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda has become hopeless. Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state where no opposition can survive.”

He also dismissed critics of the coalition.

“This coalition has been in the works for over 18 months. Suddenly, people are crawling out of dark corners, accusing us of taking over. Where were they all this time?”

One of the critics, Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, appeared on the same programme. He described coalition members as “enemies of Nigeria” determined to drag the country backward.

“They are enemies of progress. Nigerians can no longer be fooled. That hall was full of ‘former’ this and ‘former’ that—former Vice President, former governors, former ministers. These are the same people who have ruled Nigeria for decades. Where has it led us? Eighty percent of the population is poor. Now they pretend to be the fire brigade trying to put out the fire they started,” Kachikwu said.

He also accused the coalition of illegally hijacking the party.

“They came in through the back door. I oppose viruses and bacteria entering my party. Those who destroyed Nigeria cannot fix it.”

According to Kachikwu, Ralph Nwosu, who handed over the party leadership, had no authority to do so.

“His tenure expired two years ago. There has been no convention to ratify any extension. The ADC constitution is clear: you must have been a member for at least two years to hold office. This interim leadership is fraudulent.”

Kachikwu said he and other members plan to petition the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for clarification.