On Thursday, Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed intensified confrontations as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition blamed President Bola Tinubu for the nation’s hardships, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and mixed responses from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
During his regular media briefing in Abuja, Wike dismissed the ADC-led coalition as ineffective, asserting that only the PDP has the organizational strength to defeat Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. He further argued that Nigerians are not seriously considering the ADC as a viable alternative.
The PDP’s National Working Committee, through spokesperson Debo Ologunagba, clarified that the party has not taken an official stance on the coalition, focusing instead on internal preparations for its upcoming national convention.
Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, accused the faction led by former Senate President David Mark of orchestrating the party’s leadership to ensure former Vice President Atiku Abubakar becomes the coalition’s 2027 presidential candidate. Kachikwu pledged to challenge this faction legally to regain control.
ADC’s National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi responded to Wike’s criticisms by suggesting the minister’s unease stems from the coalition’s growing threat to the government. Abdullahi insisted the coalition represents the Nigerian people’s aspirations.
The coalition was formally unveiled on Wednesday, attracting support from prominent figures including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi. While many have not formally joined the ADC, they publicly endorsed the coalition, now led by interim chairman David Mark and national secretary Rauf Aregbesola after Ralph Nwosu’s resignation.
Wike criticized the coalition leaders for exploiting public frustration despite their own records in government. He questioned their claims that Nigerians are angry, pointing out that many coalition members held power during difficult times without delivering improvements. He said, “I heard David Mark say, to rescue Nigeria, Nigerians are angry. David Mark was Senate President for how many terms? Two terms… Nigerians were happy when he was Senate President for eight years? And there was no single project to Otukpo; not one.”
Wike emphasized that only those who have never held public office should claim Nigerians are angry and defended President Tinubu’s efforts to improve the country despite challenges.
In a counterstatement, Abdullahi accused Wike’s administration of failing to pay striking teachers and mistreating FCT workers while spending billions on unnecessary projects. He claimed Wike is being used to undermine the PDP and that the coalition belongs to Nigerians seeking hope.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the coalition as a gathering of self-interested politicians driven by grudges. APC spokesperson Felix Morka described the coalition’s unveiling as a “gasping whimper” filled with baseless attacks against President Tinubu’s administration.
The Presidency, through Special Adviser Sunday Dare, contrasted the ADC’s formation with the APC’s 2013 merger, describing the ADC as led by “a serial election loser” motivated by personal ambition rather than national interest. Dare highlighted the APC’s founding principles of selflessness and strategic discipline, which he said the ADC lacks.
Special Adviser Daniel Bwala called the ADC a “dead on arrival party,” echoing sentiments that the coalition lacks viability.
Former Minister Rotimi Amaechi urged Nigerians to actively oppose Tinubu’s re-election by mobilizing against elite domination. Speaking at a polling institute event, Amaechi cited examples of mass protests in other countries and lamented Nigeria’s political passivity.
A recent survey revealed widespread distrust of the Tinubu government, National Assembly, and judiciary among Nigerians.
The PDP reiterated its focus on internal unity and preparations for the 2027 elections, denying any official involvement in the coalition despite defections.
The Labour Party issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Peter Obi to resign over his involvement in the coalition, accusing members of personal ambition. The LP caretaker committee dismissed this ultimatum as illegitimate and reaffirmed support for Obi.
Former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu announced plans to unveil a “Contract with Nigerians,” outlining the coalition’s vision for national progress and its grassroots expansion.
Dumebi Kachikwu accused the David Mark-led faction of the ADC of engineering the party to favor Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy and challenged them to publicly commit to zoning the presidential ticket to the South.
PDP and Labour Party officials criticized the coalition as a gathering of failed politicians seeking to recycle themselves, urging Nigerians to reject the alliance.
The political rivalry is intensifying ahead of the 2027 elections, setting the stage for a fierce contest between President Tinubu’s administration and the opposition coalition.