The camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, along with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other political leaders, have agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the primary coalition party. This coalition aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Multiple sources close to Atiku, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, and the ongoing coalition efforts, who spoke anonymously, stated that during a Tuesday night meeting, the camps of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi agreed to adopt the ADC as the main coalition platform.

These sources added that steps are already underway to restructure and strengthen the party. Official announcements regarding related issues are anticipated in the coming days.

Confirming the meeting, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated at an event on Wednesday that coalition leaders convened at 8 pm on Tuesday. The purpose was to finalize key decisions aimed at ensuring President Bola Tinubu is unseated and “returns to Lagos in 2027.”

Ralph Nwosu, the ADC National Chairman, exclusively confirmed to our correspondent that the party is currently engaged in coalition discussions. These talks involve Atiku, Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and other political figures.

However, in an interview (with The Punch), the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, described President Tinubu as the true father of all coalitions, adding that Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders are destined to lose the 2027 election.

On March 20, Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and other political leaders in Abuja revealed the formation of a coalition designed to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The announcement ignited significant debate regarding the potential for opposition unity, with political stakeholders offering differing views.

Earlier reports on Monday had it that Obi is consulting with his loyalists to decide whether to accept Atiku’s offer of the Vice President position, as both consider the ADC as their coalition platform.

The source revealed that they have decided to adopt the ADC as the main coalition platform and are determined to invest their resources in restructuring the party.

He stated, “The coalition leaders from the camps of Obi and Atiku met last night in Abuja to review all the issues and the major parties. After their discussions, they agreed that the ADC should be the main coalition platform.

“Although some of the leaders, like El-Rufai and others, are already in the Social Democratic Party, they agreed that once ADC is announced in the coming days as the primary coalition platform, they will devise a strategy for an alliance between ADC, SDP, and other platforms.

“I am aware that resources have already been allocated to restructure the ADC, and there are plans to change the National Leadership and Board of Trustees of the party. These changes will be announced in the coming days.

“However, they have chosen the party as the primary coalition platform for coalition patriots. Their loyalists have been notified and are preparing to join the party and help overhaul it.”

Another source disclosed that the coalition leaders agreed to ensure a level playing field for everyone, regardless of their geopolitical zone of origin.

He said, “The camps met last night and agreed to adopt the ADC as their platform. Although the proposal for a single-term presidency and a vice-presidential slot is still being considered, no final decision has been made.

“As a result, 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.”

El-Rufai, who confirmed the meeting, stated that the coalition’s objective is to defeat President Tinubu and ensure his return to Lagos in 2027.

In a video posted on X account @AbdulRasheeth and obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, the former Kaduna State Governor added that details of the meeting will be made public in the coming days.

El-Rufai, who clearly was describing the difficulties he faced before managing to attend the Katsina event, 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.

“Although we will provide more updates later, I had to attend that meeting at 8 p.m.”

When reached for comment, the ADC National Chairman said he was not aware of the meeting held yesterday but confirmed that party chieftains assigned to the task have been participating in discussions with other coalition leaders.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH Nwosu revealed that the ADC has been engaged in talks with Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, expressing confidence that if they all join forces, they can successfully rescue Nigeria.

ADC National Chairman stated, “I am aware of the meeting that ADC chieftains are attending with some coalition leaders. ADC has been involved in various coalition discussions for many years—not just ahead of this election.

“But for this election, we are talking with political parties, patriots, and other stakeholders. Whatever the outcome of our discussions, the public will be informed, not in months, but in a matter of days.

“As National Chairman, we set up a committee for this purpose. Our committees are engaging with all patriots interested in rescuing this country. I can confirm that we’re not only speaking to Atiku. We are also engaging Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and many others.

“We are in discussions with political party leaders and committed patriots. We believe that if all of them work together, we can deliver this country.”

In response to a question about whether Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders want him and the Board of Trustees Chairman, Mani Ibrahim, to step aside for the restructuring of the ADC, Nwosu dismissed the claim as speculation.

However, he emphasised that they are willing to make any necessary sacrifices to help rescue Nigeria.

“That is speculation. But, I assure you, we are fully committed to national rescue and ready to make all necessary sacrifices, including myself. Whatever sacrifices are required to move this country forward, we are willing to make them.

“This national rescue conversation isn’t limited to just one or two parties. It’s happening across parties, civil society organisations, and other key groups.

“ADC is ready to contribute whatever is necessary to make this happen. We’ve built the party for a rescue movement.”

When reached for comment, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, and Obi’s loyalists, the National Secretary of Colaition for United Political Parties, Peter Ahmeh, claimed to be unaware of 1the meeting but reaffirmed that both leaders are committed to ensuring the success of the arrangement.

Ibe in an interview (with The Punch) stated that various political parties and leaders are participating in the coalition effort.

He said, “I am not aware of that, to be very honest with you. I can’t speak to what I don’t know. What I do know is that we are in talks with patriots and political parties for Nigeria’s rescue.

“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, has said that all party stakeholders and leaders are part of this coalition, and we have to take his word for it, meaning there are no exceptions. There has been no definitive decision yet.

“So, as for the political platform, we’re moving forward, and soon the public will be informed. These coalition efforts are a pan-Nigerian movement. It’s about reclaiming and rebuilding the country, and everyone who believes in that will find accommodation.

“That’s where we are. This coalition is committed to delivering on the mandate to rebuild Nigeria.”

On his part, Ameh stated that Obi and his supporters remain members of the Labour Party.

“I am aware the coalition drive is ongoing. But, I do not have such information about yesterday’s meeting at my disposal.

“As I told you, Mr. Peter Obi, I, and the rest of our team are committed to the Labour Party. We are members of the Labour Party, and we are here to promote and advocate for the views of the Labour Party.”

When reached for comment, CUPP National Publicity Secretary Mark Adebayo stated that Nigerians will be informed shortly about the progress of the coalition efforts.

In an interview (with The Punch), Adebayo emphasized that Atiku, Obi, and other coalition leaders are committed to rescuing Nigeria from the failed APC administration under President Tinubu.

He stated, “What I can tell you is that discussions are ongoing and are at their peak as we speak. Soon, Nigerians will be informed about everything, including the platform.

“The coalition leaders and stakeholders are not going to be distracted. In fact, they are focused and determined to work in unison to rescue Nigeria from the failed APC government under President Tinubu.

“Any information you need regarding the coalition movement will be made public soon. We know Nigerians are tired of the APC and eager to hear from us, but I assure you we will brief the nation shortly.”

In a related development, one of the Colaition leaders, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal disclosed that those advocating for a strong opposition coalition have deemed the PDP off-limits.

The former SGF revealed that the politicians backing the opposition coalition would soon unveil their new platform to alleviate the concerns of Nigerians anxious about the coalition’s political party.

Babachir shared this during his appearance on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday.

He stated that the coalition is primarily led by politicians who have come together to oppose the ruling party.

When questioned about the absence of the PDP in the coalition discussions led by Atiku, Babachir explained that the PDP suffers from an “incurable virus.”

“In all the meetings I’ve attended so far, nobody has ever bothered about adopting the PDP as the platform. We all agree that PDP has an incurable virus. No anti-biotics can cure what is ailing the PDP and we don’t want to go into a house that we cannot modify that is not willing to change,” he said.

He also disclosed that Atiku and other coalition leaders are committed to defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Regarding Atiku and others’ efforts to form a coalition to challenge President Tinubu, Basiru dismissed the coalition and referred to Tinubu as a master of coalition-building.

The APC National Secretary in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, stated that the former Vice President, along with other opposition leaders, would once again lose in 2027 because their coalition is not driven by the best interests of Nigerians.

He stated, “They are not forming any coalition, and if they are, President Tinubu is the grandmaster of coalitions. He is a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition, which was the mother of coalitions that helped remove the military from power.

“So, how can they use a coalition to challenge the grandmaster of coalitions? Our party is also well-versed in forming alliances.

“We were the first party to form a congress made up of major political parties. Nigerians should be aware that the lies they told about winning the 2023 election are now coming to light.”

Basiru, who advised Atiku, Obi, and others to return to their respective parties, predicted that the coalition leaders would face defeat in the 2027 election.

APC National Secretary stated, “If indeed they believe they won the 2023 election, why are they talking about a coalition for 2027? They should just go back to their political parties.

“But the truth is that they lost the 2023 election, and by the grace of Almighty God, they will lose the 2027 election as well, President Tinubu of the APC will win.

“This so-called arrangement or coalition is not driven by love for Nigeria but by inordinate ambition and a sense of entitlement.”

Credit: The Punch