The coalition movement is to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday as its platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The decision, according to Daily Trust on Tuesday was sequel to fear that the coalition’s proposed political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), may not be registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to meet electoral deadlines.
One of the coalition leaders, Dr. Umar Ardo, said most leaders have agreed that the ADC should be adopted, while still pursuing the registration of ADA.
“Most of the leaders have adopted ADC, and they will formally announce their position on Wednesday. But we’ve also agreed that both efforts (the ADC adoption and new party registration) can proceed simultaneously,” Ardo said.
He said there are some colition members who believe that INEC will act in line with the law and register ADA, adding that “the coalition secretariat is committed to doing everything right to meet the legal and procedural requirements,” he said.
Competent sources within the fold of the coalition revealed that former Senate President David Mark would replace the party’s founding leader and long-serving chairman., Okey Ralph Nwosu. Mark would be named as interim national chairman to administer the party through a transitional period and oversee the convention (expected in 2026) that will elect a substantive National Working Committee. Daily
What was yet to be decided is who becomes the interim national secretary as the offer by former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was turned down
The sources said “It’s been agreed that David Mark will oversee the party’s restructuring and the organisation of its national convention, likely in 2026, which will elect a substantive chairman and other members of the National Working Committee. But the secretary position remains unresolved. The leaders have gone back to find a more acceptable candidate,” the source said.
Other far reaching step taken by the ADC was the agreement that the party’s presidential primaries should be open and competitive, giving all aspirants equal opportunity.
“The idea of zoning the ticket to either North or South was not even discussed. Everyone agreed that the process must be inclusive and merit-based,” said the sources.
He revealed that Wednesday’s meeting is linked to the feedback to be obtained from multiple consultations held over the past week.
“Several leaders requested time to consult their supporters on the ADC decision. Wednesday’s meeting will be to collate and ratify those views. Since adopting a platform is the coalition’s final outstanding issue, we expect closure on Wednesday,” he said.
At the onset, majority of coalition key members had joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), but no sooner than they settled than that disagreement broke out with leaders of the SDP, thereby aborting the accord.
The coalition then put up another platform known as All Democtayic Alliance and applied to the INEC for registration. The ADA ran into troubled waters as another group with similar acronym applied to INEC to be registered as political party.
With the INEC having to screen 110 applications for registration of political parties, the coalition became jittery, and fearing for time, decided to adopt ADC.
collapsed. Once a fringe actor in national politics, the ADC has since gained traction as the new political bride among opposition forces seeking to unseat the incumbent president.
The coalition is made mainly of key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
