Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday attended a closed-door meeting of African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition leaders in Abuja, as opposition figures intensify efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, held at an undisclosed venue in the Federal Capital Territory, brought together several high-profile politicians including ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Minister of Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; ex-Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former Kwara Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed; and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
‘A Meeting Against Oligarchs’
Atiku confirmed his attendance in a post on X, describing the gathering as part of a broader resistance movement.
“I am currently at the stakeholders’ meeting of the Coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja. It’s a meeting of the Nigerian people against the oligarchs who promote poverty and insecurity in the land,” he wrote.
The former Vice-President stressed that the opposition bloc is determined to present a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Key Resolutions
ADC National Chairman David Mark presided over the session, while Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi—though absent—sent apologies and pledged loyalty to the coalition.
According to ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, three major resolutions were reached:
- Suspension of ADA: Plans to register the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) with the electoral commission were shelved.
- Unified Front: All presidential aspirants pledged to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate after the primaries.
- Full Commitment: Members were directed to resign from other political parties and fully align with the ADC.
The National Working Committee also announced that dates for primaries in Osun and Ekiti will soon be released, ahead of the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections.
Background & Context
Founded in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change and later registered by INEC in 2011, the ADC has steadily grown into a rallying point for opposition forces seeking to challenge APC dominance.
The coalition was formally adopted in July 2025, after months of consultations among politicians dissatisfied with the current state of governance.
Prominent members include Uche Secondus, Rauf Aregbesola, Emeka Ihedioha, Dino Melaye, and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.
Looking Ahead
While unity remains the coalition’s focus, heavyweights such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi are expected to vie for the ADC’s presidential ticket.
Party leaders, however, insist the coalition is more than a merger of interests, describing it as a “rescue mission” aimed at tackling insecurity, economic hardship, and corruption.
