Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have reportedly agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their main coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
This development was confirmed by multiple sources close to the coalition talks, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity.
The sources revealed that a key meeting took place on Tuesday night, where representatives from both camps, along with other political figures, agreed to adopt the ADC as the primary vehicle for their joint political efforts.
“The coalition leaders from the camps of Obi and Atiku met last night in Abuja to review all the issues and the major parties,” one insider said. “After their discussions, they agreed that the ADC should be the main coalition platform.”
Efforts are already underway to restructure and strengthen the ADC, with plans to announce changes in the party’s leadership and Board of Trustees in the coming days. “Resources have already been allocated to restructure the ADC,” the source added. “Their loyalists have been notified and are preparing to join the party and help overhaul it.”
Confirming the meeting, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai said the coalition’s goal is to ensure President Tinubu is unseated in 2027. Speaking at an event on Wednesday, El-Rufai stated, “Yesterday at 8 p.m., there was a very important meeting of the coalition we are building to ensure that President Tinubu returns to Lagos.” He promised that further details would be made public soon.
The ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, also confirmed that the party is engaged in ongoing coalition discussions involving Atiku, Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and other political leaders.
He said, “The ADC has been involved in various coalition discussions for many years — not just ahead of this election. We believe that if all of them work together, we can deliver this country.”
However, Nwosu dismissed speculation that Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders have demanded that he and the Board of Trustees Chairman step aside. “That is speculation,” he said. “But I assure you, we are fully committed to national rescue and ready to make all necessary sacrifices — including myself.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, reacted dismissively to the coalition talks.
In an interview with The PUNCH, he described President Tinubu as “the true father of all coalitions” and declared that Atiku, Obi, and their coalition partners are destined to lose the 2027 election.
The announcement of the coalition has sparked considerable debate among political observers about the likelihood of opposition unity ahead of the next general election. Some analysts see the coalition as a strategic move to consolidate opposition votes, while others remain skeptical about the durability of such alliances.
Questions also remain about the leadership structure of the coalition and the possibility of a power-sharing agreement. According to sources, proposals such as a single-term presidency for the candidate and a vice-presidential slot are still under discussion, with no final decisions made yet.
“They resolved that the coalition efforts within the ADC will ensure a level playing field for all participants, especially presidential aspirants, regardless of their geopolitical background,” one insider said.
Despite the uncertainty, all parties involved appear committed to the coalition’s success. Obi is said to be consulting with his loyalists on whether to accept Atiku’s offer of the vice-presidential position on the ADC platform.
When contacted for comment, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, and Peter Obi’s coalition secretary, Peter Ahmeh, said they were not yet aware of the specific meeting but reaffirmed their leaders’ commitment to the coalition effort.
Ibe said, “We are in talks with patriots and political parties for Nigeria’s rescue,” signaling ongoing discussions.
