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.
