African Democratic Congress rejects adoption of Atiku-led coalition ahead 2027 poll

A faction of African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the adoption of Atiku Abubakar, a former Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to lead the congress ahead of the 2027 poll in Nigeria.

Penpushing reports that Abubakar-led coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, and on Wednesday adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as platform to contest next general elections.

The development, however, took another dimension when a group of the party members, in a statement declared opposition to the adoption of Abubakar to lead the party, stressing that the party is not a one-man project.

Penpushing further reports that the statement, rejecting Abubakar was signed by the national publicity secretary of the party, Musa Matara, on behalf of the concerned stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)

The statement is titled “ADC is not a one-man project – A response to Rauf Aregbesola’s acceptance speech,”, adding that other stakeholders who opposed the arrangements include youth leaders, women leaders, state party executives and ward coordinators nationwide.

Penpushing also reports that the aggrieved members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the appointment of Abubakar and other interim officials lacked due process, transparency, and the broad-based legitimacy expected in a democratic political party.

They emphasized that African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group, and equally rejected the premise and process behind the appointments

“The ADC is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group or individuals—regardless of how eloquent or ideologically polished their speeches may sound’, the statement reads.

“Our party has structures, leadership organs, youth and women wings, and constitutional guidelines—none of which were consulted or respected in the announcement of this so-called “appointment’, it added

“Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections. These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” the statement said.

Penpushing reports that the faction said millions of African Democratic Congress(ADC) members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition, warning that if anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.

“We stand firmly on the side of accountable leadership, transparent decision-making, and a people-powered party structure. Any process that excludes the very people it claims to serve is undemocratic and must be challenged’, the letter emphasised.

“We call on all genuine stakeholders of the ADC—across states, zones, and demographic groups—to reject this attempted takeover of our party. We are not opposed to coalitions. We are not opposed to reform. But we are opposed to hijack, to imposition, and to speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language’, it added.

“Until a legitimate, constitutionally-backed ADC National Convention or NEC confirms leadership changes, no one has the moral or legal right to speak for our party nationally’, the group said.

“Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord? Can you build something on nothing? Atiku and his co-travellers have bought bad market from someone purporting to be the chairman of the African Democratic Congress. For the avoidance of doubt the tenure of Ralph Nwosu lapsed three years ago’, the statement stated.

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that the coalition appointed a former Senate President, David Mark, and a former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, as its interim national chairman and secretary, respectively.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, reportedly stepped aside to pave way for the new interim leadership of the party, while Mark has also resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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