Abuja – The Nigerian Presidency, reacting to the takeover of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by high-profile opposition actors, has ridiculed the new opposition coalition, dismissing it as a gathering of politically displaced figures lacking real substance. The All Progressives Congress (APC) also issued a similar stance, labeling the ADC’s realignment as an association of vengeful power-seekers, declaring it had no worries about their activities. Additionally, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mr. Nyesom Wike condemned the anti-Tinubu movement, branding its leadership as a team of expired and failed politicians. This development unfolded as the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential flag-bearer, Mr. Peter Obi, pledged his backing for the coalition, which intends to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2027. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clarified that it had not formally joined the coalition but maintained openness to align with like-minded Nigerians to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections. At the same time, the LP led by Senator Nenadi Usman urged the public to ignore reports of a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Obi resign or risk expulsion. Separately, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, who contested for president under the ADC in 2023, outlined conditions under which he would throw his weight behind the coalition. It should be noted that opposition elements had formally taken over the ADC’s party machinery to use as their platform for the 2027 election. Within this movement, former Senate President David Mark was appointed interim National Chairman, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola was chosen as interim Secretary. In response, the Presidency dismissed any attempt to equate this group with the 2013 political merger that birthed the APC, describing the coalition instead as a desperate grab for power lacking any guiding principles. Presidency Labels Coalition as Power-Hungry Actors Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, described the ADC promoters as political “desperados” driven not by ideology or national interest, but by personal ambition and resentment towards President Tinubu. Writing on his verified X account (@SunsayDareSD), Dare noted that many of the politicians now flocking to the ADC had long distanced themselves from the APC, in some cases even before the 2023 election. According to Dare, “Rotimi Amaechi’s spirit departed from the APC in 2022 after failing to win the party’s presidential ticket. Likewise, Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General, has been clearly disengaged since Tinubu emerged, especially following his failed bid to govern Kebbi State.” He described them as lacking principle or vision, a collection of desperate men and women unable to accept political irrelevance, bonded only by their dislike of Tinubu, without a coherent national development agenda. Dare warned that a coalition based purely on shared bitterness cannot deliver a new Nigeria, urging citizens to stay alert and not be fooled by what he called a weak and short-lived movement. “This is no credible force for change, but merely a group of politically homeless people seeking relevance,” he stated. APC Unshaken by ADC Realignment Felix Morka, spokesperson for the APC, expressed the ruling party’s lack of concern about the coalition, saying: “While these people busy themselves slinging mud, our great party and President Tinubu remain laser-focused on building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria for current and future generations.” Morka dismissed the ADC’s repositioning as “a weak whimper, not the mighty roar they boasted of,” arguing that its members were merely self-centered politicians obsessed with vengeance and power. He criticized their sense of entitlement to public office, describing them as people who confuse personal interests with the public good, desperate to grab power through deception while parading their questionable public service records. Morka asked, “What policy ideas do they even offer? What exactly is their alternative plan to the reforms and achievements Nigerians are now experiencing under President Tinubu? Why should citizens trust this group whose only message is a hunger for power at any cost?” He concluded that Nigerians would see through what he called the coalition’s “grand folly,” praising the country’s ongoing structural economic transformation. Wike Calls Coalition a Failure Club Minister Wike also slammed the ADC takeover, arguing the group had nothing new to offer Nigeria. He referenced former Senate President David Mark’s comments about rescuing the country, pointing out that Mark was Senate President for eight years without a single major project in Otukpo. Wike also cited former Minister Rotimi Amaechi’s borrowing from China, former Aviation Minister Sirika’s failed Air Nigeria plan, and other examples to dismiss their sincerity. He further suggested that the exit of politicians like Amaechi and others from the PDP was a blessing for the party, as it rid them of “vampires and buccaneers.” Speaking in Abuja, Wike told journalists the PDP should seize the moment to rebuild now that opportunists had departed. He insisted Nigerians should look carefully at the political drama, describing many defectors as motivated by selfish losses and personal grudges rather than true national progress. Peter Obi Stresses Need for United Front Mr. Peter Obi argued that a single group alone could never transform Nigeria, emphasizing the necessity of forming alliances to dismantle the poverty and insecurity holding the nation back. On his verified X page, Obi confirmed the ADC adoption and urged people to join forces to build a truly compassionate leadership in 2027. He wrote, “This decision is a product of deep reflection on our national crisis and how we must move forward. Bridges must be built, even when they are difficult to build.” Labour Party Factions Split over Obi’s Role Meanwhile, the Julius Abure-led LP faction gave Obi 48 hours to quit the party or risk expulsion, citing secret meetings and attempts to lobby members to join his new movement. Obiora Ifoh, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, accused Obi of trying to ride two horses and vowed that the Labour Party would not tolerate double-dealing politicians. However, the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party rejected the 48-hour ultimatum, calling it mischievous and lacking legitimacy. Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Assistant to Nenadi Usman, described the Abure faction’s stance
The foremost Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has sounded an alarm over the growing socio-economic crisis in Nigeria, warning that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may face rejection at the polls in 2027 if urgent measures are not taken to tackle worsening poverty, hunger, and national insecurity. In a strongly-worded declaration, the organization stressed that the administration’s continued neglect of Nigeria’s pressing challenges could provoke a widespread loss of public trust, potentially culminating in a mass voter backlash in the next general elections. The warning was issued by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Deputy President-General of a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, through an official statement released on Thursday. He urged both the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to recognize and urgently respond to the grim realities that have become unbearable for many Nigerians. According to Isiguzoro, the unchecked surge in hardship is not only inflicting misery on ordinary citizens but is also likely to impede the ability of state governors to secure political support for Tinubu’s reelection campaign. “Many of these governors are misleading the President by giving false assurances,” the statement noted. “They exist in a bubble of deception, assuming they can deliver their states for APC in the 2027 elections, but this is a dangerous illusion.” Ohanaeze highlighted the strategic maneuvering of Northern Governors, whom it described as “subtle and cunning,” warning that this bloc poses a greater threat to Tinubu’s political future than he may currently recognize. The group emphasized the importance of engaging directly with this influential group to prevent future political betrayal. The organization further urged Tinubu to act decisively and with integrity to rebuild confidence among Nigerians. It stated that bold and people-focused reforms are the only path to reversing the public’s growing disillusionment. “The alliance with governors who are complicit in worsening economic and security problems must be reevaluated. Nigerians are disheartened by the lack of positive impact from fuel subsidy removal and the increased revenue that followed,” Ohanaeze declared. The group also decried the deliberate undermining of local government autonomy, despite a Supreme Court ruling in favor of decentralization, accusing state governors of hoarding resources and denying citizens access to vital services. They warned that unless new tax reform policies are backed by genuine administrative will and leadership change, they too will be sabotaged. Ohanaeze did not mince words, stating that unless Tinubu prioritizes resolving hunger, rising costs of living, insecurity, and poverty, any hope of seeking reelection in 2027 may prove futile. “The misleading narratives from the 36 governors are shielding Tinubu from the truth. Citizens are enduring unbearable inflation, skyrocketing food prices, and deteriorating living standards,” the group emphasized. According to Ohanaeze, this economic reality will heavily weigh on Tinubu’s campaign. The electorate, especially in the North, may choose to reject the President in favor of local interests, driven by disappointment and unmet expectations. The group also predicted fractures among Southern Governors, who will likely be caught in a tug-of-war between old political alliances and their dependence on Tinubu’s support for their own ambitions. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for these governors to secure support for Tinubu. Now is the time for real action: reduce electricity tariffs, reform the economic team, eliminate corruption, and invest seriously in agriculture and public infrastructure,” the statement concluded. Ohanaeze urged the President to look toward progressive models of leadership, such as Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, who has empowered young people through agricultural reforms and food security initiatives. They ended with a final stern message: “The current path is unsustainable. Without immediate and genuine reform, all political aspirations risk becoming irrelevant.”
