The Atiku Abubakar-led national coalition of opposition politicians, Wednesday, formally took over the structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform for the 2027 general election.
The event, which took place in Abuja, with some dissenting voices kicking, saw some ministers in the Muhammadu Buhari administration as well as some former members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) emerging as members.
The outgone National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu, said the party held 12 meetings of its National Executive Committee (NEC) within 18 months, in the course of putting the coalition together.
Nwosu and the ADC National Secretary, Alhaji Saeed Baba Abdullahi, led the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to the event.
But the new political marriage is dogged by some controversies with some stakeholders expressing their reservations over its validity and the right to shake off the existing executive council of the ADC.
…Ex- ADC chair Nwosu, Mark explain
Speaking at the meeting, the former ADC national chairman claimed Nigeria needed a fix and revival.
The ADC leader, thereafter, announced former Senate President David Mark as the interim national chairman of the party and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the interim national secretary, and handed over their ADC membership cards to them.
Addressing the crowded hall, Senator Mark said the event marked the beginning of a tedious journey to rescue Nigeria from the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
He said: “Let it be known to all that this coalition goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to build the pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Today marks the beginning of what we believe will be a long, tedious and difficult journey. However, this is a journey that we are prepared to undertake. This coalition is to prevent Nigeria’s decent into a one party state.”
“This coalition is therefore for all Nigerians who share in our belief that all of us have the patriotic duty to save our country. To all those citizens who believe that Nigeria’s democracy is worth fighting for, this coalition is for you.
“To all youths who face uncertain future and have questioned the value of their education and their certificates, this coalition is for you,” said the former lawmaker.
Mark further said the coalition was determined to offer Nigerians a path to security, prosperity, peace and progress.
…Attendees
Some of those at the event were former Vice President Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba Ahmed; former Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Cross River state Governor Liyel Imoke, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir Lawal.
Some former APC NWC members who were there included the former national chairman of the ruling APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former spokesman of the APC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, former caretaker national secretary of the party, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, and former national vice chairman, North-west of the APC, Salihu Moh. Lukman.
The roll call also included four ministers in the Buhari administration – Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Aregbesola (Interior), Abubakar Malami SAN (Attorney General and Minister of Justice), and Barr. Solomon Dalung (Sports).
Others were former Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Brigadier-General Tunde Ogbeha (retd), former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, former Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Adamawa state Governor Jubrilla Bindow, former Imo state Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, Senator Ishaku Abbo, Senator Dino Melaye, Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, and an activist, Aisha Yesufu.
The list also included former Kogi state Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, former Edo state Governor Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, Senator Lee Maeba, former Inspector General of Police M.D Abubakar, former Benue state Governor Gabriel Suswan, the Ovation publisher, Aare Dele Momodu, former presidential adviser, Kashim Imam, Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, Dr Mani Ibrahim, Ms Lauretta Onochie, ex-Rivers Governor Celestine Omehia, Maryam Inna Ciroma, Senator Aishatu Binani, former Kogi state Governor Idris Wada, former deputy governor of Ondo state, Agboola Ajayi, and Senator Victor Umeh.
…Kachikwu cautions
In his reaction, the ADC presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Dumebi Kachikwu, described the coming together as not complying with due process.
“If you seek to be a part of the ADC, do the proper thing and come through the front door. We are a party of decent and well-behaved people. Our brand of opposition is one that not only opposes but proposes, something that your group is not conversant with,” Kachikwu said in an e-statement sent to Blueprint Wednesday.
Listing what he called the facts of the matter, he said: “The Atiku led group are in some form of alliance with the former leadership of the party led by Ralph Nwosu. The tenure of the Nwosu led executive lapsed on August 21, 2022, and his continued parade of himself as the chairman of the party was the subject of various litigations in different courts across the country.
“From the foregoing, I want to then pose the following questions: Can you build something on nothing? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence? Can you enter a man’s house through the back door and declare yourself the landlord? These yesterday’s men who represent a bad chapter in Nigeria’s past have bought bad market from a man who represents a bad chapter in ADC’s past.
“Nigerians have watched in amazement as this group of mostly geriatrics shopped around for a party to prosecute their ‘chopping must continue’ ambition.
“This further cements the opinion most hold that political parties in Nigeria stand for nothing and will fall for anything. They have told us that they are fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians and that they are on a rescue mission but what is confusing to the Nigerians they want to rescue is that these men made up of a former vice president, former governors, ministers and political office holders are the same people who have presided over the affairs of this nation for the past four decades.
“We have nothing to show for their decades of leadership other than being seen as a nation divided by tribe and religion and thriving in mediocrity. We are a nation lacking in the basics whose majority are poor but here we are watching those who set our nation on fire saying they are the fire brigade.
“No, you are not; you are a bunch of greedy and selfish old men who believe that political power is your birth right. You stand for nothing other than your interests and will pay any price to hold political office. Nigerians are tired of your generation and reject everything you have to offer which is nothing. Nigerians yearn for new names, new faces, fresh ideas and progressive ideals.”
Continuing, the ADC leader said: “We yearn for a new Nigeria that thrives on meritocracy and deemphasises tribe and religion. We dream of a nation that works for all Nigerians irrespective of region or religion. We want a nation whose laws and opportunities are equal to all men. We desire inclusiveness for all and social protections for the weak amongst us. Nigerians have never asked for much other than a leadership that truly cares. You have failed us and stand rejected by us.”
…Mantara-led group kicks
Similarly, a group under the aegis of Concerned Stakeholders of the ADC rejected the new leadership, saying it lacked due process, transparency and legitimacy.
According to the group, “until a legitimate, constitutionally-backed National Convention or National Executive Council (NEC) of the ADC confirms the leadership changes, no one has the moral or legal right to speak for the party nationally.”
A statement Wednesday signed by the national publicity secretary, ADC (Original), Dr. Musa Isa Matara, said: “The group comprising youth and women leaders, state party executives, and ward coordinators nationwide, said it was neither opposed to coalitions nor reform in the party, however, stressed that it was against hijack, imposition, as well as speeches that sound revolutionary but hide elitist intentions beneath poetic language.”
“While we appreciate the enthusiasm with which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has delivered his acceptance speech as Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), we must urgently and firmly reject the premise and process behind this appointment — an appointment that lacks due process, transparency, and the broad-based legitimacy expected in a democratic political party.
“The ADC is not a private coalition platform to be hijacked by any elite group or individuals—regardless of how eloquent or ideologically polished their speeches may sound.
“We stand firmly on the side of accountable leadership, transparent decision-making, and a people-powered party structure. Any process that excludes the very people it claims to serve is undemocratic and must be challenged.
“We call on all genuine stakeholders of the ADC—across states, zones, and demographic groups—to reject this attempted takeover of our party.”
…Osita warns
Sounding a strong warning however, a founding member of the APC and former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, told Nigerians to be wary of desperate politicians in the coalition.
He said: “My take is that Nigerians should beware of the political hawks who regrettably devoured our sister political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by violently breaching the rotation convention of president from north to south and Section 7 of the PDP Constitution.
“They’re at it again solely for State Capture, therefore Nigerians beware.”
He recalled that the intractable crisis’ bedeviling the PDP was consequent upon the violent breach of the rotation convention of president from north to south and south to north, the guardrail of the 4th Republic and Section 7 of PDP Constitution.
The APC chieftain submitted that “the violent breach was solely to make one man president with uttermost disregard to equity, justice and sense of belonging, that’s our bond.
He called for patience to allow major infrastructural projects of the South East, North East, South West, North West, South South and North Central Development Commissions and other critical infrastructure of current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come to fruition.
The ex-VON boss also appealed to Nigerians to always bear in mind that APC is battling assiduously to fix electricity, including the Mambilla power value chain and other state owned enterprises sold in less than transparent manner “by these political merchants, presently gathering after tearing to pieces PDP’s umbrella.”