A faction of the African Democratic Congress has firmly rejected the adoption of the party by the coalition of opposition politicians led by former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, accusing them of attempting to hijack the party for personal interests.
In a statement issued by the party’s factional national publicity secretary, Musa Isa Matara, the group criticised the move, insisting that the ADC is not a “private coalition platform” to be appropriated by elite political actors.
Matara maintained that the party’s state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators across the country were not involved in the discussions that culminated in the adoption of the ADC by the coalition leaders.
The statement read in part: “We warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain.
“The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.”
This reaction followed the announcement by coalition leaders that they had settled on the ADC as their political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. As part of the arrangement, former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola were named the party’s interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
It will be recalled that leading figures in the opposition pushing for the coalition, along with some members of the ADC, met on Tuesday in Abuja.
The high-level meeting was attended by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar; David Mark, former Senate President; Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger; Sam Egwu, former Governor of Ebonyi; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State. The gathering concluded with the adoption of the ADC as the vehicle for the coalition in the 2027 elections.
The coalition also announced Bolaji Abdullahi, a former Minister of Sports, as its spokesperson.
However, reacting to these developments, the ADC national publicity secretary rejected the entire process, describing it as a “hijack and imposition.”
He further stressed that the party’s National Executive Committee did not approve the appointments announced by the coalition.
The statement added: “The claim that the ADC has become the ‘platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group’ is misleading.
“Our millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.
“If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty.”
The group also issued a caution to those rushing into the party under the new coalition arrangement, reminding them that the ADC is still grappling with unresolved court cases arising from the 2023 general elections.
“These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive,” the faction stated.