Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North have endorsed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the preferred platform for a proposed coalition group ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision was made after weeks of deliberation among northern opposition politicians over aligning with an existing party or awaiting the registration of a new one.
According to John Chuma Nwosu, the ADC flag bearer for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, ADC was chosen over the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) due to its established presence and recognition across almost all geopolitical zones in the country. Nwosu explained that ADA is still in the process of registration and would have to overcome significant hurdles to reach the level of recognition that ADC currently enjoys.
The ADC has been a long-established and nationally recognized party, having fielded credible candidates at both national and state levels. Nwosu emphasized that the interests of the coalition are best served by new leadership within the ADC and that Anambra would be the first test case for the party and its coalition partners to demonstrate their collective resolve.
The decision to partner with ADC comes after a strategic meeting held by PDP heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Alechenu Mark. The meeting, which was attended by several dignitaries, including former governors and senators, noted that the PDP’s current state demands urgent and bold action to rescue the country from the misgovernance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP leaders expressed deep concern over the party’s decline since the 2023 presidential election and the resignation of former National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. They warned that internal divisions and external suppression by the APC have weakened the PDP’s capacity to function as a credible opposition.
In a communiqué read by former Senate President David Mark, the group called on all loyal PDP members and progressive Nigerians to join forces in a broad-based political coalition committed to national unity, democratic governance, economic revival, and the fight against corruption. The PDP, with its organic structure, capacity, and history, remains the most credible platform to lead this charge, but it must be rebuilt through unity and strategic alliances with other pro-democracy forces.
However, not all PDP members are in support of the decision to partner with ADC. The National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the party, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, described the defection of some party members to the coalition party, ADC, as unfortunate. He defended the retention of National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, citing the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a major factor in the decision.
Meanwhile, the acting national chairman of the APC, Ali Bukar Dalori, has dismissed the possibility of a coalition unseating the ruling party at the center in 2027. Dalori pledged to prioritize reconciliation among APC members at state, ward, and local council levels and expressed confidence in the party’s stability and resilience.
The development comes as the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, expressed doubts about Peter Obi’s pledge to serve only a single four-year term if elected President in 2027. Sani argued that it would be difficult for northerners to believe Obi’s promise, citing the dynamics of power and human tendencies once in office.
The Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State during the 2023 elections, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has also criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as “a failure” and attributing it to the worst cost-of-living crisis Nigeria has experienced in four decades. Rhodes-Vivour emphasized that the only way to save the country is for the opposition to unite and work together to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.
