Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports and interim spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the opposition coalition chose the party to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television, Abdullahi said President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda has collapsed into hopelessness.

The former minister said the current hardship, insecurity pervading the country, and collapse of accountability in governance are proof that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigerians.

“In two years, hope has become hopelessness. You know? I mean, look at the parameters. Look at the parameters,” Abdullahi said.

“People are dying every day in this country — people are leaving their homes and being shot. And the government is doing nothing, acting like it is Christmas.”

Abdullahi said the coalition is not just seeking power for its sake but is focused on building a political party where discipline, equity, and internal democracy are entrenched.

“We say we want to try to give Nigeria, one, an alternative. God forbid we arrive at 2027 and there’s no alternative. That is one,” he said.

“Maybe you want to be cynical and say we’re trying to atone. That’s fine.

“But what we are doing is to create a party where everyone is equal, where the members are supreme.”

He described the ADC as a vehicle to build a values-based party that will outlive its current members and stand the test of time.

Abdullahi also responded to criticism from Dumebi Kachikwu, the former ADC presidential candidate, who accused the coalition of entering the party “through the back door” and predicted they would soon leave.

He said Kachikwu’s comments reflect a sense of exclusion, not any real ideological opposition.

Abdullahi questioned Kachikwu’s political relevance, saying he found little evidence of any meaningful contribution after an online search about him.

“I tried to Google him and couldn’t find anything beyond the fact that he once ran for office,” he said.

“I’m only six months older than him, yet he’s positioning himself as a youth voice.”

The former minister said the coalition was formed by professionals and credible Nigerians with verifiable public service records.

He rejected the notion that Nigeria must search outside the political class for leadership, saying the solution lies in reforming the existing system — not discarding it.

“Politics is played by politicians, not by farmers or bankers. If those in the past failed, do we go to Ghana or South Africa to import politicians?” he asked.

Abdullahi noted that the problem is not with politics itself but with the absence of systems that hold people accountable, adding that the ADC under the coalition is being structured to reverse the imbalance.

“Our handshake logo represents agreement, mutual respect. We are building a party where rules matter and everyone plays by them,” he said.

Earlier today, David Mark, ADC interim national chairman, said the coalition of opposition political parties would prevent Nigeria from descending into a one-party state. (BusinessDay)