The much-publicized momentum that greeted the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform for Nigeria’s opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections appears to be losing steam, following the reluctance of key presidential hopefuls, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, to formally register with the party.
The coalition, comprising heavyweight political leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and others, had earlier adopted the ADC as its official platform.
In a controversial move, Mark was announced as interim national chairman and Aregbesola as national secretary.
However, insiders confirm that the ADC is struggling to sustain momentum due to the absence of official membership by its biggest political assets—Obi and Atiku. While Atiku has exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has remained without formal party affiliation, declining to register with the ADC.
Obi, on the other hand, is still a card-carrying member of the Labour Party and has openly stated he would remain there while observing developments in the ADC.
This indecision has sparked concerns within the ADC National Working Committee (NWC), with Acting National Chairman Nafiu Bala insisting that the coalition leaders must register at their ward levels in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
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Failure to do so, he warned, could expose the coalition to legal challenges and undermine its credibility.
Even David Mark, controversially adopted as interim chairman, is reportedly yet to complete his formal registration. Bala expressed frustration, saying, “Those people parading themselves as ADC members are not registered. They’re not yet members of our party.”
Speculation over Obi’s next move gained traction when former Borno Governor Ali Modu Sheriff claimed on Channels Television that Obi was considering a return to the PDP to contest its 2027 presidential ticket.
Sheriff also suggested a likely showdown between Obi and Atiku should both remain in the coalition under the ADC banner.
The ADC, however, has dismissed talk of Obi’s return to the PDP. National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said Obi’s defection would be a political misstep. “Peter Obi knows better. It’s good to see that ADC’s involvement is forcing the PDP to make moves, but he is with us,” Abdullahi maintained.
Political observers warn that the indecision of Atiku and Obi could fracture the coalition’s unity. Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former APC chieftain, described their delay as “strategic and innovative,” claiming both men are working behind the scenes to stabilize the ADC’s structure before formal entry.
He predicted they would join officially before the end of September.
Similarly, Chief Peter Ameh, a former CUPP secretary, described Obi as the coalition’s strongest political asset, citing his performance in 2023 where he defeated President Bola Tinubu in Lagos and polled over 12 million votes.
“Obi is the most viable option for the opposition to reclaim the Presidency in 2027,” Ameh asserted.
Meanwhile, Rotimi Amaechi appears to be the only coalition leader moving decisively. He has already taken the ADC structure to Rivers State, making his presidential intentions the clearest among the bloc’s frontrunners.
For now, the ADC’s dream of uniting the opposition remains fragile, as the body language of Atiku and Obi continues to cast uncertainty over the coalition’s 2027 prospects.