The Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has cautioned leading political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, against divisive politicking within the emerging opposition coalition. This comes amid a fierce response from the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as defections sweep across several states.
ADC Clarifies Position as Mark Warns Against Factionalism
In a statement released on Tuesday by his media team in Abuja, Senator David Mark sought to douse growing tensions within the newly formed political coalition, which has positioned itself as a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mark stressed that the ADC had no preferred presidential candidate despite media speculation pointing to Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi as frontrunners. He called for unity, reminding members that every stakeholder in the party holds equal value and influence.
“The ADC has no preferred aspirant,” Mark affirmed. “Our focus is to present a platform that is attractive and acceptable to the majority of Nigerians. We are doing this because the great ship called Nigeria is at risk of sinking, and unless we rise together, we all risk going down with it.”
Mark also responded to accusations from ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, who alleged that the interim leadership favored Atiku. He assured Nigerians that transparency, inclusiveness, and democracy would be the cornerstones of the ADC under his watch.
Tinubu’s Aides Fire Back: Opposition Accused of Conspiracy
Reacting sharply to the momentum building within the opposition, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused members of the coalition of plotting to destabilize the administration.
In a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga described the Tinubu administration as the most “focused and transformative” in Nigeria’s history. He referenced a 2022 warning by the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, stressing that economic reforms under Tinubu were never promised to be easy but were necessary for long-term stability.
Onanuga further alleged that “haters of Nigeria’s progress are banding together to overthrow an administration committed to real reforms.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris issued a formal statement asserting that the Tinubu government remains undistracted by “politicking” and remains focused on delivering reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The minister cited achievements in stabilizing the naira, boosting agriculture, tackling oil theft, and introducing tax reforms as evidence of progress.
Opposition Coalition Gains Ground as Defections Sweep States
Despite the denials and counter-accusations, the growing strength of the opposition coalition, spearheaded by the ADC, is becoming increasingly evident with defections recorded in Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Ondo, and beyond.
In Borno State, notable figures including former PDP senatorial candidate Mohammed Kumalia and Deputy Governorship candidate Saleh Kida abandoned their parties for the coalition. Youth leader Sheriff Banki said the defection was fueled by widespread disillusionment with both the APC’s leadership under Tinubu and the PDP’s failure to provide an alternative.
Similarly, in Gombe, former APC Organising Secretary Abdullahi Ataka joined the ADC, expressing optimism about the coalition’s ability to disrupt the status quo. In Ondo State, former PDP chieftains including Prof. Bode Ayorinde, Eyitayo Jegede, and Agboola Ajayi were reported to have collapsed party structures into the ADC, though some denials persist.
Speaking in Akure, Ayorinde stated, “We are witnessing the end of PDP dominance. This coalition is not just about political interest; it is about rescuing our democracy.”
PDP and APC Push Back Against Growing Coalition Momentum
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has downplayed the significance of the defections, with its National Vice Chairman (South-West), Kamorudeen Ajisafe, insisting that no formal resignations had been tendered by high-profile members in Ondo. He urged party loyalists to remain steadfast as the party prepares for crucial Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory in 2026.
“We are not threatened by the ADC,” Ajisafe said. “The PDP remains the strongest opposition force, particularly in the South West.”
Similarly, the APC accused the ADC of chasing shadows. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed the coalition’s allegations that the government was attempting to undermine it through intimidation and clandestine meetings.
“There is no basis for the ADC’s claims,” Morka stated. “The APC has no interest in destabilizing a party already riddled with internal contradictions and opportunistic ambitions.”
The APC maintained that the Tinubu administration’s performance would speak for itself and that opposition efforts were driven by bitterness rather than genuine reform plans.
FG Stresses Focus on Reforms as ADC Vows to Challenge Status Quo
As the political temperature rises, the Federal Government continues to emphasize that President Tinubu remains focused on delivering tangible reforms rather than being distracted by premature politicking.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris highlighted key initiatives such as the student loan scheme, tax reforms, agricultural mechanization, and consumer credit schemes as hallmarks of the administration’s commitment to uplifting ordinary Nigerians.
“The emerging coalitions do not change the fact that progress is being made,” Idris stated. “The administration refuses to be drawn into distractions orchestrated by those who fear change.”
Meanwhile, ADC leaders, including Senator David Mark and Prof. Bode Ayorinde, have reiterated their commitment to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative come 2027. The coalition insists that it is not merely a reactionary movement but a proactive step towards rebuilding institutions, fighting economic hardship, and restoring hope to millions of citizens.
“We are not driven by bitterness,” Mark concluded. “We are driven by the desire to see Nigeria work for all its citizens.”
As the 2027 elections approach, the battle lines are becoming clearer, with defections, coalition-building, and political maneuvering setting the stage for what promises to be one of Nigeria’s most consequential political contests
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