The Inside Story Revealed!
Top politicians and opposition figures across the country have been meeting in Abuja over the last few days to fine tune their strategies on how best to defeat Pres. Bola Tinubu at the 2027 presidential elections.
The arrowheads of this Coalition are Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), Mallam El-Rufai (SDP), Rotimi Amaechi (APC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (APC) and many others. They believe that if they all work together under one umbrella they can present a formidable opposition to TINUBU in 2027.
They have picked the African Democratic Congress (ADC), one of the quiet political parties in Nigeria as the party to use.
The ADC was formed to provide an alternative to the dominant political parties in Nigeria.
The party’s ideology is centered around promoting democracy, good governance, and socio-economic development in Nigeria.
The ADC has a national presence, with structures at the federal, state, and local government levels.
The party participates in elections at various levels, including presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative elections.
Let’s tell you more, about The African Democratic Congress (ADC) which was formed by Ralph Nwosu in 2005. Initially, the party was first named “Alliance for Democratic Change,” but it was later renamed African Democratic Congress, to better reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people. Ralph Nwosu currently serves as the National Chairman of the party. Notably, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political movement, the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), adopted the ADC in 2018, and he now serves as the Chairman for the party.
City People can confirm that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has indeed been having discussions with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). According to Ralph Nwosu, the National Chairman of the ADC, Atiku has expressed interest in joining forces with the party as part of a broader coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The ADC is working towards building a mega coalition with various opposition leaders, including Atiku and Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party. The goal is to find a neutral candidate who can rally behind a single platform to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Atiku has reportedly indicated his willingness to support this initiative, prioritizing Nigeria’s interests over personal ambitions. The ADC believes that by working together, they can create a formidable force to bring about change in the country.
City People gathered that Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are indeed working together, having recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their coalition party.
This move aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The coalition, also includes former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai who is reportedly working on restructuring the ADC and strengthening its national presence.
What are the Coalition Agreement? That Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai have agreed to work together under the ADC, with plans to unveil their alliance soon.
The coalition leaders are investing resources to overhaul the ADC, including potential changes to its national leadership and Board of Trustees.
The leaders have emphasized ensuring a fair opportunity for all participants, regardless of their geopolitical background.
However, Peter Obi’s Labour Party has expressed confusion over his involvement, stating that he remains a member of the party “for now”. Obi’s supporters have given conditions for his continued involvement in the coalition, while Atiku’s camp remains committed to the alliance.
City People gathered that Atiku and Peter Obi’s decision to work with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was driven by several factors:
One is that ADC offers a platform for them to form a coalition and challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Also, the ADC has a national presence, which could be beneficial for their political ambitions.
Working with the ADC is mostly to provide a new opportunity for them to achieve their political goals.
Some notable aspects of the ADC include the Leadership. Ralph Nwosu is the National Chairman. There is also Coalition Building: The ADC is open to forming alliances with other political groups and leaders.
By joining forces with the ADC, Atiku and Obi might be aiming to: Consolidate Support: Build a strong coalition to challenge the incumbent president, Promote Unity: Foster a sense of unity among opposition leaders and parties, Advance.
Their Agenda: Pursue their political goals and ambitions through a new platform.
The ADC’s potential as a viable platform for their political aspirations will likely depend on various factors, including the party’s internal dynamics and the broader political landscape in Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi met with Northern political leaders last week, specifically on May 26, 2025, in Abuja. The meeting, attended by hundreds of political figures, aimed to intensify coalition talks ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The gathering, known as the National Political Consultative Group (North) meeting, discussed issues such as insecurity, poverty, and illiteracy in Northern Nigeria.
Some notable attendees included:
Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State, Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Salihu Lukman, former All Progressives Congress National Vice Chairman (North), Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate
The meeting emphasized the need for a united political front in Northern Nigeria, with a communiqué urging swift action to consolidate the region’s political influence. The coalition is reportedly working towards challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
But can they beat President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election City People asked some political analysts. “That seems like a challenging task”, explained one of them. But Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi’s coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) might just give them an edge.
Here’s what’s shaping up:
(a) Unified Opposition: The ADC is working with various opposition leaders, including Atiku, Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, to form a strong coalition.
(b) Grassroots Presence: ADC claims to have a better structure than other parties, with a presence in all 36 states and a clear roadmap for transformation.
(c) Neutral Candidate: The coalition might field a neutral candidate, which could attract more supporters and increase their chances.
(d) Challenges: Internal Conflicts: With strong personalities like Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai involved, clashes are possible, and their differences might pull them apart.
(e) Zoning Issue: There’s ongoing debate about zoning the presidency, with some arguing it’s the turn of the South, while others believe the North should take the reins.
Ruling Party’s Advantage: The APC might use federal might to force its candidate into power, but ADC is confident in its people’s might, citing 37-40 million votes as a target.
ADC claims its framework is stronger than any other party’s, with quality people and well-financed systems in place.
(g) Economic Solutions: The party has outlined reforms and a clear African prism approach to deal with Nigeria’s issues, which might resonate with voters.
Given Nigeria’s history of failed coalitions, success is uncertain, but the ADC’s optimism and plans might just give them an edge. Ultimately, their ability to beat President Tinubu will depend on their ability to work together, mobilize supporters, and present a compelling alternative to the ruling party.
Is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola part of them? Yes, Rauf Aregbesola is part of the coalition with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Aregbesola was a key member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and later joined the Action Congress (AC), which later merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recently there was a meeting between Rauf Aregbesola and Atiku Abubakar. According to reports, Atiku visited Osun State last week for the coronation of the new Owa of Ijesaland and paid a courtesy call on Aregbesola, a former governor of Ilesa in Osun State. This move was seen as a strategic alliance-building effort by Atiku, who is reportedly forming a coalition with other political parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku’s visit was likely aimed at solidifying his coalition plans, which have been met with resistance from some PDP governors and officials.
As a key figure in the coalition talks, Aregbesola’s meeting with Atiku suggests a strengthening of their alliance.
This alliance might have implications for the 2027 presidential election, particularly in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke’s popularity is currently high.
It’s worth noting that Atiku’s meeting with Aregbesola was perceived as a snub to Governor Adeleke, who was not visited by Atiku during his trip. This development highlights the complex dynamics within the PDP and the challenges Atiku might face in his coalition-building efforts.
What is Rotimi Amaechi’s role in all these? He is actively involved. He is part of a Technical committee set up by the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG) to analyze potential platforms for their coalition. Specifically, he’s working alongside Liyel Imoke to determine whether the coalition should adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), or register a fresh party. This committee’s findings will likely play a crucial role in the coalition’s final decision on which platform to use for the 2027 elections.
The NOCG, led by David Mark, includes notable figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Babachir Lawal, and Salihu Lukman, all working together to potentially remove President Bola Tinubu from power in 2027. Amaechi’s involvement in the technical committee suggests he’s playing a behind-the-scenes role in shaping the coalition’s strategy and direction.
Some key aspects of the coalition’s plans include:
Platform Options which involves considering the ADC, SDP, or a new party.
Discussions are ongoing about leadership roles and balancing regional interests.
However, the group faces challenges in reconciling their differences and presenting a united front.
How easy will it be for all of them to reconcile their differences? Reconciling different tendencies within the coalition will likely require careful consideration and negotiation.
How will Peter Obi handle the situation? Can he be in Labour Party and ADC at the same time?
Peter Obi’s membership in both the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) simultaneously is a complex issue. According to Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022, a person can only belong to one political party at a time.
If Peter Obi is indeed a member of the Labour Party, joining the ADC might require him to resign from the LP or clarify his membership status. However, without further information on his current membership status or any potential agreements between the parties, it’s challenging to determine the specifics.
Some possible scenarios include:
(a) Dual Membership: If Peter Obi has somehow managed to maintain membership in both parties, it could raise questions about the implications for his political career and the parties involved.
(b) Party Switching: If Peter Obi decides to leave the Labour Party and join the ADC, it could have significant implications for his political future and the parties involved.
(c) Coalition Politics: Alternatively, Peter Obi’s involvement with the ADC might be part of a broader coalition or agreement between parties, which could allow him to work with multiple parties without necessarily switching membership.
