ADC Faction Rejects Opposition Coalition’s Adoption, Declares Party Not For Sale.
A significant faction within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has publicly rejected the recent adoption of the party by a coalition of opposition politicians as a platform for the 2027 Nigerian general elections. The group, identifying itself as the “Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC,” issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, condemning what it described as an undemocratic attempt to hijack the party’s structure for elite political gain.
The statement, signed by Musa Isa Matara, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, expressed outrage over the lack of consultation with key party stakeholders, including state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators, before the decision was made. Matara emphasised that the ADC is not a “private coalition platform” to be co-opted by political elites. “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 statement read. It further asserted, “The ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite dealmakers.”
The controversy stems from a high-profile meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, where opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and former governors such as Rauf Aregbesola, Sule Lamido, and Aminu Tambuwal, agreed to adopt the ADC as the coalition’s political platform. The coalition appointed David Mark as interim National Chairman, Rauf Aregbesola as interim National Secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi, a former Minister of Sports, as its spokesperson. This move was intended to unify opposition forces to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
However, the ADC faction dismissed the coalition’s declaration that the party had become the “platform of the National Opposition Coalition Group” as misleading. Matara clarified that the party’s millions of members had not been informed or involved in the decision-making process. He argued that any attempt to force a merger without grassroots consent violates democratic principles and undermines the party’s sovereignty. “If anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty,” the statement noted.
Adding to the complexity, the faction highlighted ongoing legal disputes within the ADC, which have remained unresolved since the 2023 general elections. Matara warned that building a coalition on such unstable legal ground is “irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.” The group stressed that while it is not opposed to coalitions or party reforms, any such moves must be transparent, constitutional, and driven by the party’s members.
The faction’s rejection has thrown the opposition coalition’s plans into uncertainty, raising questions about the viability of a unified front against the APC. Political analysts suggest that the internal conflict within the ADC could undermine the coalition’s credibility if issues of internal democracy remain unaddressed. “The ADC’s internal crisis is a stark reminder that opposition unity must be built on legitimacy and grassroots support,” said Chidi Okonkwo, a political commentator based in Abuja.
The ADC, founded in 2005 and registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2006, has historically played a minor role in Nigerian politics but gained attention as a potential coalition platform due to its relatively stable structure. In 2018, it was briefly adopted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement. Despite its limited electoral success, the party’s current turmoil underscores the challenges of forging a cohesive opposition strategy ahead of 2027.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the ADC faction has called on its members across Nigeria to reject what it described as an “attempted takeover” and to uphold the party’s independence. The coalition, meanwhile, has yet to respond to the faction’s statement, leaving the future of its adoption of the ADC uncertain.[](
