Barring any last-minute changes, the coalition of opposition forces is set to formally adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday as its platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s re-election bid in 2027.

Sources familiar with the development told Daily Trust that most coalition leaders have settled on the ADC, following growing concerns that the coalition?s proposed political vehicle, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), may not be registered in time by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to meet electoral deadlines.

In May, Daily Trust reported that a majority of coalition figures had agreed to join the ADC after talks with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) collapsed. Once a fringe actor in national politics, the ADC has since gained traction as the new political bride among opposition forces seeking to unseat the incumbent president.

The coalition, formally unveiled on March 20, includes key political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; 2023 Labour Party?s presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai. However, the question of which political platform to adopt had lingered due to prolonged negotiations, particularly with the SDP.

A coalition member had disclosed to Daily Trust in May that the ADC had emerged as the preferred platform. ?The party met all the coalition?s requirements. The leaders were clear about what they were looking for in a platform, and the ADC satisfied those expectations,? he said.

However, shortly after that disclosure, some coalition figures pushed back, insisting that the registration of a new party, the ADA, remained under consideration. By June, it emerged that the coalition had formally approached INEC to register ADA as an entirely new political entity.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Monday, Dr. Umar Ardo, one of the coalition leaders, confirmed that while most leaders have indeed adopted the ADC, the coalition has also resolved to continue pursuing the registration of ADA.

?Most of the leaders have adopted ADC, and they will formally announce their position on Wednesday. But we?ve also agreed that both efforts (the ADC adoption and new party registration) can proceed simultaneously,? Ardo said.

He added that those in favour of registering a new party remain confident that INEC will act in line with the law. ?The coalition secretariat is committed to doing everything right to meet the legal and procedural requirements,? he said.

Ardo, the convener of the Northern League of Democrats and a key promoter of the ADA, also commended INEC for acknowledging the coalition?s application.

In a letter dated 27 June, and signed by the commission?s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, INEC confirmed receipt of the application and stated: ?Your letter dated 19 June 2025 on the above subject is acknowledged. The commission is processing your application in line with the provisions of Part I, Clause 2(i) of our Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022. Accept the assurances of the commission?s high regard.?

Addressing concerns that adopting the ADC while simultaneously pushing for ADA registration could lead to internal conflict or mixed messaging, Ardo argued that both efforts are complementary rather than contradictory.

?Registering a new party is a process?just like adopting an existing one. Both efforts involve grassroots mobilisation and membership drives. Ultimately, they converge at the same objective,? he said.

Ardo cited two major reasons for favouring the registration of a new party. First, he expressed fears of ?external manipulations? if the coalition simply fuses into an existing party.

?One of our main concerns is undue influence. Those opposed to a new party fear government interference with INEC. But fusing into an existing party actually exposes us more to manipulation, as you must now contend with entrenched interests.

?Instead of facing the law in a transparent registration process, you engage in transactional politics with existing party owners. The ADC, for instance, has executives elected in December 2022 who insist they won?t step aside until their terms expire in December 2026?well after the primaries. That?s a legal landmine that could result in litigation, and a single court judgement could upend everything,? he said.

His second concern was the potential exclusion of committed coalition members from the process. ?You may end up with many people feeling left out,? he warned.

Ardo also distanced himself from narratives suggesting the coalition?s primary aim is to oust President Tinubu. ?If our sole goal is to remove Tinubu in 2027, then we?re no different from the political forces that removed Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. We must go beyond that. The coalition should spearhead a renaissance?to change how things are done in this country,? he said.

David Mark to steer ADC

Meanwhile, another senior coalition figure, who asked not to be named, confirmed that former Senate President, David Mark, has been tapped as interim national chairman of the ADC, replacing Okey Ralph Nwosu, the party?s founding leader and long-serving chairman.

Mark will lead the party through a transitional period and oversee the convention (expected in 2026) that will elect a substantive National Working Committee, Daily Trust gathered.

However, the role of interim national secretary remains unresolved following the rejection of the offer by former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

?It?s been agreed that David Mark will oversee the party?s restructuring and the organisation of its national convention, likely in 2026, which will elect a substantive chairman and other members of the National Working Committee. But the secretary position remains unresolved. The leaders have gone back to find a more acceptable candidate,? the source said.

Open primaries and no zoning

The source also revealed that coalition leaders had unanimously agreed that the party?s presidential primaries should be open and competitive, giving all aspirants equal opportunity.

?The idea of zoning the ticket to either North or South was not even discussed. Everyone agreed that the process must be inclusive and merit-based,? he added.

He explained that the outcome of Wednesday?s meeting would depend on feedback from multiple consultations held over the past week.

?Several leaders requested time to consult their supporters on the ADC decision. Wednesday?s meeting will be to collate and ratify those views. Since adopting a platform is the coalition?s final outstanding issue, we expect closure on Wednesday,? he said. (Daily Trust)

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