Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, and former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, have mobilized state party chairmen to back a growing opposition coalition targeting the removal of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
At a high-level strategy session held Thursday at Mark’s residence in Abuja, the ADC National Working Committee (NWC) reaffirmed the importance of state leaders in shaping the coalition’s direction.
The meeting drew participation from 37 state chairmen, including a representative from the Federal Capital Territory.
The gathering comes amid internal party tensions, as former ADC presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu continues to allege that both Mark and Aregbesola were installed undemocratically. In response, party leaders used the meeting to project unity and legitimacy.
ADC interim spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, addressed the controversy directly “we’re not here to marginalize anyone. Our focus is collective progress and transparency,” he said.
On Kachikwu’s allegations, Abdullahi noted: “Being a presidential candidate doesn’t make one a party official. If there are legitimate concerns, we welcome formal challenges but none have been presented so far.”
Kingsley Ogga, Chair of the ADC Forum and Kogi State Chairman, reinforced the leadership’s credibility “This process has been inclusive. We’ve worked on it together for nearly three years. Nothing has been imposed.”
Prominent political figures such as former governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), along with former PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, were also in attendance signaling the widening scope of the coalition.
Speaking in Akure, Aregbesola urged party members to put unity ahead of ambition:
“The road ahead is long, but if we stay united, we’re unstoppable,” he said.
He also revealed that the alliance enjoys the support of major opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President Mark, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Gbenga Edema, ADC’s Ondo governorship hopeful, described the meeting as a crucial update on coalition efforts “This is the first comprehensive national briefing since the ADC was adopted as the coalition’s platform.”
Former PDP stalwart Akin Akinbobola endorsed the move, warning that Nigeria faces a deepening crisis “The country is sinking. Political intervention is not just necessary—it’s urgent.”
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