The opposition coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election has issued a directive to its prominent members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, to resign from their current political parties and officially register with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The directive, seen as a major step toward consolidating opposition strength under one platform, was announced on Thursday in Abuja by Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, following a strategic caucus meeting attended by senior political leaders and key stakeholders.
According to Abdullahi, the coalition has resolved all issues surrounding the now-defunct African Democratic Association (ADA) and will move forward with the ADC as its unified political vehicle. “The coalition has rested everything concerning the ADA. That means they are not interested in the registration or otherwise of the association,” he said.
While the coalition has mandated all members to quit their current parties, Abdullahi noted that the caucus did not specify a deadline for compliance. “A final order has been given to all members to resign from other political parties, but the caucus was silent on the timeline,” he explained.
Since the coalition’s formal adoption of the ADC on July 2, several opposition figures have defected from their previous parties. However, Atiku and Obi — two of the most influential opposition figures — have yet to fully commit. Atiku has exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but is yet to formally register with the ADC, while Obi still maintains ties with the Labour Party despite his alignment with the coalition’s objectives.
Abdullahi further revealed that the coalition’s National Working Committee would soon release the timetable for primary elections in Osun and Ekiti states ahead of the upcoming off-cycle governorship polls. He added that all declared presidential aspirants had pledged to support whoever emerges as the coalition’s candidate.
Those present at Thursday’s meeting included National Chairman David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition PDP have downplayed the coalition’s move, dismissing it as inconsequential and insisting that it poses no significant threat to their dominance in the 2027 elections.
Political analysts, however, say that a united front featuring Atiku and Obi under one platform could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape and mount the most serious challenge yet to President Tinubu’s reelection bid.
