The coalition of opposition politicians rallying under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing fresh internal discord, with some key promoters exploring alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Prominent figures within the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), including former Kano State governor Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr Umar Ardo, are reportedly considering reviving the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), a fringe Second Republic party that twice failed to field presidential candidates.
In a statement, Shekarau clarified that he never said it was impossible to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. Instead, he argued that only a coalition of established political parties, rather than individual aspirants, could mount an effective challenge. He recalled past coalition efforts, noting that successful political mergers, such as the one that brought the APC to power in 2015, were negotiated by party leaders rather than by individuals pursuing personal ambitions.
Shekarau said the current ADC arrangement differs significantly from the 2015 model, where each participating party sent three representatives to merger talks. He added that opposition unity in 2027 would require discipline, harmonised positions, and cooperation between existing parties to avoid conflicts over presidential ambitions.
The former Kano Central senator, who defected from the APC ahead of the 2023 elections and briefly aligned with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s NNPP before joining Atiku Abubakar’s PDP, is now said to be considering a fresh political direction.
ADC National Leader Leke Abejide, the party’s only elected National Assembly member, was more direct in his criticism of the coalition. Speaking to reporters, Abejide described its promoters as “daydreamers” and “selfish politicians” with no genuine plan for the country. He accused them of attempting to hijack the ADC without proper consultation or due process, likening their actions to “a tenant suddenly becoming the landlord.”
According to Abejide, the national chairman, Raphael Nwosu, acted treacherously in handing over the party to the coalition forces, bypassing the National Executive Council, which is the party’s highest decision-making body. He insisted there was “no vacancy” in the ADC for the coalition and dismissed his purported suspension from the party as illegitimate.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also distanced himself from the ADC coalition. In a statement, he described reports linking him to any opposition alliance as “fake news” and reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, where he served as Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria before the 2013 merger that formed the ruling party.
Mustapha emphasised that he remains committed to the APC and its ideals, stressing that party problems should be resolved internally rather than by defecting to other platforms.
The coalition’s troubles come against the backdrop of mounting speculation about the 2027 elections. Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi has pledged to support whoever emerges as the ADC presidential candidate, claiming such a candidate could defeat President Bola Tinubu. However, former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi’s media office has denied Amaechi’s claim that Fayemi was among the coalition’s founding planners.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has cautioned Igbo presidential hopefuls against pursuing a 2027 bid without first securing meaningful electoral reforms, warning that without such reforms, any run for the presidency would be futile.
