THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) is ramping up its political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 general elections, with strong indications that it is courting at least five serving governors most of whom belong to the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Findings by News Point Nigeria suggest that the ADC, now officially adopted as the platform for a growing coalition of opposition leaders, is quietly positioning itself to become the dominant vehicle for anti-APC forces.
Multiple sources within the coalition disclosed that some PDP governors had already pledged their allegiance to the coalition but were biding their time, waiting for the dust to settle in the PDP particularly the internal wrangling involving former Governor Nyesom Wike and other factions.
This development follows the high-profile defection of five prominent PDP leaders across five states to the ADC, in what insiders describe as the first phase of a wider strategy to destabilize both the PDP and the ruling APC.
Last Wednesday, the coalition formally unveiled the ADC as its official political platform, in a move widely seen as an effort to unite disparate opposition voices under one banner. At the event were heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Senate President David Mark, who, alongside former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, was named interim National Chairman of the newly repositioned ADC.
The event was marked by an unprecedented convergence of political titans from across party lines. Prominent former APC figures including ex-party chairman John Odigie Oyegun, former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi resigned their APC memberships to align with the ADC coalition.
In addition, notable PDP stalwarts such as ex-chairman Uche Secondus, former Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-governors Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River), were also present and publicly pledged support to the new movement.
Also spotted at the gathering was Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party, representing the Federal Capital Territory, further emphasizing the coalition’s pan-opposition appeal.
Despite the high-profile turnout, critics have questioned the credibility and cohesion of the coalition. The PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, issued a stern warning to party members flirting with rival platforms, stating that “there will be consequences” for those undermining the unity of the party.
Pro-Tinubu commentator and former presidential aide Reno Omokri dismissed the ADC coalition as “a gathering of rejected politicians and former political office holders,” accusing them of acting out of desperation rather than principle.
Similarly, APC’s South-East National Vice Chairman, Ijeomah Arodiogbu, cast doubt on the strength of the coalition, pointing to the absence of serving governors as a major flaw.
“In the APC merger that brought Tinubu to power, six sitting governors joined the formation. That is what gave it teeth. This current coalition has none. Instead, governors are joining the APC,” he claimed.
He also took aim at Emeka Ihedioha, stating, “He holds no real political weight in the South-East. It’s all noise.”
Yet insiders within the ADC paint a very different picture. A former senator from Katsina State, who is actively involved in the coalition’s strategy meetings, revealed that “five PDP governors have already committed to joining us. They are only waiting for the PDP to implode further.”
According to the senator, the governors prefer to stay quiet for now, largely due to ongoing internal negotiations and the fear of political backlash. “We will meet them again after their next party convention and firm up plans,” he said.
He further disclosed that some APC governors have also been part of quiet discussions since last year. “We started planning this 18 months ago. APC governors were contacted a year ago. Don’t be surprised when things start shifting.”
Another insider, a former aide to one of the ex-ministers now involved in the coalition, confirmed to News Point Nigeria that at least seven serving governors whose party affiliations were not disclosed were currently in discussions with ADC leaders.
“You want us to name them? That’s not how this game is played. But they are from both the North and the South, and we’re making progress,” he said.
However, the immediate past National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, declined to comment on the alleged defections, stating only, “The political climate is fluid, and anything is possible.”
Political analysts believe the ADC’s moves signal a strategic attempt to replicate the 2013 APC merger that catapulted Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015. However, the key difference this time is that the coalition lacks control of any state governments at least for now.
Should the ADC succeed in wooing one or more sitting governors, it could drastically alter Nigeria’s political terrain ahead of 2027. For now, the coalition’s biggest task remains managing internal egos, maintaining cohesion, and staying the course in a high-stakes game of political chess.
As the countdown to 2027 intensifies, the ADC coalition is betting big on unity, defection, and the hope that Nigerians are ready for a new political narrative.