As opposition leaders intensify efforts to unseat President Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the emerging coalition as “dead on arrival,” insisting that Tinubu will triumph again in 2027.
The strong rebuttal followed a high-level meeting of key opposition figures in Abuja on Tuesday, where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, among others, declared the APC-led government a national disaster that must be voted out.
Multiple sources confirmed that the coalition, which includes members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and other opposition forces, has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge the APC in the next general elections.
A communiqué issued after the Abuja meeting—held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and signed by David Mark—called on PDP members and other Nigerians to support the coalition's mission to rescue the country from the current administration’s failings.
“The APC government, which came into being on false and evil propaganda to save Nigeria from the PDP, is now a disaster to our nation and therefore must be voted out of power,” the communiqué stated.
Notable PDP stalwarts in attendance included former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus; former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Senator Ben Obi; former National Women Leader Josephine Anenih; former Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu; ex-Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan; and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.
The Tinubu administration continues to face heavy criticism over Nigeria’s economic crisis, worsening insecurity, and growing hardship. However, the opposition parties themselves have grappled with internal rifts, casting doubt on their ability to unite effectively.
In a renewed attempt to form a formidable front, Atiku, LP’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other prominent politicians met on March 20 to announce the formation of a new coalition. The decision to adopt the ADC as its political base was first reported by The PUNCH on May 19, with David Mark tipped to serve as interim chairman. An official unveiling is expected on Wednesday.
The coalition’s latest communiqué urged all “well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians” to join the alliance, stressing unity on key national issues.
“All coalition partners must be united on national unity, democracy, security, the economy, and the political will to stamp out endemic corruption,” it said. “We will develop modalities to win elections by addressing both local and national dynamics.”
The coalition expressed frustration over the PDP’s deteriorating state, which it blamed on both internal sabotage and external interference by the APC-led federal government.
“The inability of the PDP leadership to govern the party according to its Constitution has led to chaos and indiscipline,” the communiqué noted. “The vision of our founding fathers—of building a stable, united Nigeria and a respected voice on the global stage—has been eroded.”
Mark and his colleagues painted a bleak picture of the country under the current administration, describing Nigeria as “weakened, failing, and a global embarrassment.”
They said, “All development indices that support comfort and quality of life have collapsed. Life is now hell in Nigeria. The PDP, once a disciplined, organic party with the history and capacity to lead, is now a shadow of itself.”
The group also alleged that the APC government was using threats, blackmail, and patronage to pressure PDP elected officials into defecting.
Despite these concerns, many PDP leaders reportedly intend to back the ADC presidential candidate in 2027 while maintaining their PDP membership.
Responding to the coalition's claims, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim dismissed the alliance as a gathering of defeated politicians acting out of desperation.
“The fact that they can meet freely in hotels without fear means the APC government has improved security and power supply,” Ibrahim said. “That’s a credit to Tinubu’s administration.”
He added, “This coalition will not scare the APC. It’s a waste of time. They are dead on arrival—comprising people who have been politically and ideologically defeated. They will be beaten again in 2027.”
Ibrahim insisted that Tinubu’s government will continue to provide a peaceful atmosphere for all political activities but maintained that the opposition coalition lacks direction and national appeal.
“All they are doing is motivated by selfish interests, not the good of Nigerians,” he said.
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