As political realignments take shape ahead of the 2027 general election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed a new opposition coalition as “dead on arrival,” following sharp criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government by prominent political figures.
In a swift response, APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as a gathering of “defeated politicians” driven by personal ambition rather than national interest.
At a high-level strategy session held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, key opposition leaders formally agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their new political platform heading into the 2027 race.
The development, first reported by The PUNCH, was confirmed by sources at the meeting.
A communiqué signed by David Mark described the APC administration as a “national failure,” declaring.
“The APC government, born out of lies and propaganda, has become a disaster and must be voted out in 2027.”
Attendees included influential PDP figures such as Uche Secondus, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, Babangida Aliyu, Sam Egwu, Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Austin Akobundu, Kola Ologbondiyan, and Abdullahi Maibasira.
The coalition criticized the APC for what it called the weaponization of state institutions and also cited internal crises as key factors in the PDP’s post-2023 electoral decline especially after the removal of former chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
“The party is now chaotic and undisciplined, far from the vision of its founding fathers,” the communiqué stated, lamenting Nigeria’s deteriorating global standing.
It also decried worsening hardship, rising insecurity, and economic decline under the Tinubu-led APC government, claiming Nigerians were being subjected to “hellish” conditions.
An insider revealed that while many PDP members plan to remain within the party, they intend to back the ADC presidential candidate, framing it as a “personal political alignment” rather than a mass defection.
Reacting to the gathering, APC spokesperson Bala Ibrahim shrugged off the opposition alliance as lacking traction or credibility.
“They were defeated before and will be defeated again. The fact that they’re meeting freely only shows the improved security situation under Tinubu’s leadership,” he said.
Ibrahim insisted that the coalition was driven by self-interest and offered no genuine alternative to the APC’s governance.
Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) welcomed the initiative, describing the coalition as a “gathering for national purpose” composed of elder statesmen committed to Nigeria’s progress.
PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi added that with recent internal disputes including the national secretary row resolved, the party is now in a stronger position to plan strategically for 2027.
Meanwhile, Sola Fasure, media adviser to former Minister Rauf Aregbesola, confirmed Aregbesola’s appointment as the coalition’s South-West coordinator.
He praised the meeting as a “forward step” and expressed support for Peter Obi’s proposed single-term presidency an idea that has gained traction among coalition members.
“This is not a contest of egos. Everyone in the coalition is united by one goal: to rebuild Nigeria.”
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal also expressed optimism about the coalition’s future but clarified his independence from the PDP.
“I’m not a PDP member. I support the coalition’s vision, and we’ll make our stance public soon.”
Lawal supported the single-term proposal as a valid political strategy, noting that it should ultimately be left to voters to decide.
Efforts to reach PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and Acting Chairman Umar Damagum for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
Advertisement
