ABUJA, Nigeria — A formidable coalition of Nigeria’s opposition forces formally unveiled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their united political platform for the 2027 general elections, during a landmark event held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
The high-profile gathering witnessed the convergence of major figures from across the political spectrum — including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — who appeared in a rare show of unity aimed at preventing what they described as the descent of Nigeria into a one-party state.
Among the notable figures in attendance were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, the 2023 LP presidential candidate; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor; Rotimi Amaechi, ex-transport minister; Aminu Tambuwal, former Sokoto governor; John Oyegun, former APC national chairman; Abubakar Malami, ex-attorney general; David Mark, former senate president; Rauf Aregbesola, former minister of interior; and Victor Umeh and Ireti Kingibe, senators representing Anambra Central and the FCT respectively.
Also present were Emeka Ihedioha, Solomon Dalung, Gabriel Suswam, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Aisha Yesufu, and LP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate Akeem Baba-Ahmed.
In his address, Ralph Nwosu, the outgoing national chairman of the ADC, announced the formal stepping down of the party’s leadership in favour of a new interim structure led by Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
“My welcome address here today, I titled it Beyond Politics and Power,” Nwosu declared.
“We must commit to moving Nigeria from the ICU to global reckoning. This is not about seeking power — it’s about healing a wounded nation.”
Nwosu emphasised that ADC has always been a party of ideas and alliances, and that the current coalition was the result of 18 months of extensive consultations and over a dozen National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.
“A day like this shows we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria,” he said.
“Nigerians are yearning for unity and a serious platform to take back the country.”
In his maiden address as interim chairman, David Mark said the coalition was more than a political realignment — it was a last-ditch effort to rescue Nigeria’s democracy.
“This coalition goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy,” Mark said.
He described the coalition as a broad alliance of opposition groups, youth movements, civil society organisations, and patriotic Nigerians disillusioned with the status quo.
“Our objective is to ensure that Nigeria does not become a one-party state. We must restore the balance that keeps our democracy functional, representative, and accountable,” he added.
The decision to adopt ADC as the coalition platform comes after months of speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations involving key opposition figures.
