ADC Accuses Presidency Of Sabotage As 2027 Opposition Coalition Gains Momentum

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Nigerian Presidency of orchestrating a covert campaign to destabilize the newly formed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The accusation comes at a time of internal strife within the party, including a pending lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit, filed by three aggrieved members, seeks to dissolve the Senator David Mark-led interim leadership of the ADC.

Amid these challenges, the party’s immediate past National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, warned that the opposition coalition could implode under the weight of conflicting interests if not carefully managed.

Meanwhile, the political landscape continues to shift. Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has officially dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Similarly, former Katsina State PDP Chairman, Salisu Lawal Uli, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align with the ADC-led Coalition of Nigeria Political Groups. Adamu Waziri, a PDP Board of Trustees member, also announced his defection to the ADC, citing the PDP's dwindling credibility.

Last week, major opposition figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai—formally endorsed the ADC as their unified platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In response, the ADC, through Ralph Nwosu, dissolved its existing structure to make way for the broad-based coalition.

But in a statement issued Monday, ADC Interim National Publicity Secretary and Coalition Spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the Presidency of launching a "desperate sabotage mission."

“We have credible intelligence that some high-ranking federal officials are orchestrating secret meetings—not for peace-building, but to intimidate, manipulate, and possibly recruit key figures to undermine the opposition,” Abdullahi said.

He described the alleged plot as a “direct assault on Nigeria’s multi-party democracy,” warning that it could push the country dangerously close to a one-party state.

According to Abdullahi, former ADC state chairmen and senior executives from the North-East and North-West have been invited to clandestine meetings with top federal officials. He linked the move to the coalition’s declaration on July 1 and the ADC’s restructuring on July 2—developments that he said have “rattled the ruling party.”

“The Tinubu administration has clearly lost the confidence of the Nigerian people and now fears a united, credible opposition. Instead of embracing reform, they’ve reverted to the old playbook of destabilizing rival parties,” he added.

Abdullahi urged President Tinubu to rein in his appointees, saying, “If the Jonathan administration had been this intolerant, there would be no APC in power today, and Tinubu would never have become president.”

He emphasized that the coalition is a movement whose time has come: “This isn’t just about politics. It’s about restoring hope, vision, and justice. We will not allow a few desperate men to turn Nigeria into a one-party dictatorship. Resisting that is our patriotic duty.”

He also clarified that the coalition is not yet discussing its 2027 presidential ticket.

“At this point, we’re not having any conversations about candidacies. Our focus is on building a strong, inclusive platform that offers Nigerians a real alternative,” Abdullahi concluded.