₦airaland Forum

delpee:
Yahaya Bello is currently being prosecuted.

OredoPikin:
Let me fix it again
Point 1 and point 3
Attached is the 2011 presidential election result between GEJ PDP from the South South, Ribadu ACN from the North East, and Buhari CPC from North West.
Anyone that can read figures can understand how the SW played a politics of not particularly picking a candidate. They distributed their votes among ACN and PDP.
So please stop lying that u supported GEJ in 2011 when the figures says otherwise because you ain't talking to an illiterate.
The only zone in the South that can boast of supporting GEJ is SE. 2011 and they repeated it in 2015.
There is no state in the SE that gave us less than 95% of their votes in both 2011 and 2015. They are the only region that can boast of supporting GEJ not SW that divided their votes

Point 2
The position of VP is a mere commissioner but that's what you are using as a bargain chip for us in the South South.
Is not a must Atiku must be President but someone that said Emilokan is okay for you guys🤣.
Anyways, I clearly said Atiku or another strong northern candidate with atiku backing.
Yes, the best among us can decide to be VP because this is Nigeria. Competence doesn't count because if it does, you won't be supporting Tinubu.
Tinubu becoming president was the end of competency for Nigeria number one seat. A man with clear cases of forgery from age, family background to education, and even work. Alongside lots of baggages hanging on him and you dare talk about competency 😂

Point 4
Elrufai control majority of North West voters. That he is having issues with his political godson doesn't take away the fact that he is still among the decision makers there.
Obaseki had issues with oshiomole and it didn't removed any relevance from oshiomole.

Lastly
Peter Obi is the most competent politician in Nigeria in all ramifications comparing him to all the ex governors that have governed a Nigeria state. Maybe Fashola and Ambode can rob shoulder with him. But certainly not Tinubu that is in the league of ibori and lucky Igbinedion

OredoPikin:
Let's address your points one after the other.
Point 1
Buhari can't just finished 8 years as a Northerner and not allowed Southerners to complete their own 8 years

Since the return to democracy in 1999, the South will be completing 18yrs on the seat by 2027 and the north have only had 10yrs. Another northerner from 2027 to 2035 will balance it 18 vs 18

Point 2
Peter Obi can't be claimed to be the best amongst the candidate and still desperately Vice others, that would be a turn off for reasonable of the voters

Peter Obi agreeing to be vice to Atiku is not a desperate move rather the most reliable path for him. He is the best and he won 2023 election and it was stolen from him and nothing happened. 2027 won't be different and it will even place him in a more disadvantage position because me and you knows that APC campaign in the North will be 90% of why they must not vote Obi for power to return to them in 2031

Point 3
South South are already scheming for Vice president position should president Tinubu able to complete his second term, I am.yet to see which story the coalition/opposition will tell to convince them.

you removed us from presidency just to give us vice in 2031😂 please make it make sense again to us. Forget the decamping, okowa as deputy to Atiku lost his state even as a governor in 2023 to Obi. No governor or politician in the South South controls the mind of average southerner and South South is not homogenous like SE or SW for us to just follow one person that will now come and tell us because of unwritten vice presidential promise, will should now vote Tinubu.

Point 4
Atiku, Obi, Elrufai are not the one in charge of their political party, Pdp, LP and SDP. Their new proposed coalition party ADC, how many party secretariat, party house, ward house do they have across the Nigeria states? The grassroots mobilization just to get people to be familiar with the new party's name, the logo is not a small task considering the time available

a new party will be birthed and all Nigerians will move to it. That's the essence of the coalition.

Let me not address the last part because even the blind can see that Tinubu is the worst of the worst
For someone buhari is better than🤣
Let's leave it here

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears to have emerged as the new political bride in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, following its adoption by a coalition of opposition leaders as the platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Previously on the fringes of national politics, the party was adopted by coalition leaders on Tuesday night in what one proponent described as “the official birth of the coalition”.

The coalition, which is led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, was formally announced on March 20. However, a decision on which political platform to adopt had been delayed by several rounds of talks, initially with the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The SDP had appeared the frontrunner after El-Rufai defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking a wave of interest from his supporters and other northern political leaders. But cracks soon emerged. SDP’s national chairman, Shehu Gabam, ruled out participation in any party merger, publicly declaring that the party would not allow itself to be used as a “special-purpose vehicle by selfish politicians.”

Following weeks of consultations, coalition leaders met in Abuja on Tuesday night and resolved, among other decisions, to adopt the ADC as their platform of choice, Daily Trust gathered.

The meeting was confirmed by El-Rufai in Katsina yesterday, although he did not disclose details of what was agreed.
“Yesterday at 8 p.m., there was a very important meeting of the coalition we are putting together to ensure that President Tinubu returns to Lagos in 2027. But we will keep the minister (referring to Bosun Tijjani, the minister of communications and digital economy) because he is doing well,” El-Rufai said during remarks at Arewa Tech Fest.
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar, confirmed the ADC’s adoption as the coalition’s platform.

“Yes, ADC has been agreed as the party,” he said. “The coalition leaders have set up relevant committees and directed them to resolve grey areas in the arrangement and prepare for a public unveiling,” he added, when asked about the terms agreed with the ADC.

On the breakdown of talks with the SDP, Ibe said, “The SDP was never really a platform under serious consideration. It was a strategic move to house the CPC component of the APC ahead of a formal transition. You could call it a container to absorb CPC elements before moving to the final platform.”

“But they’ve moved beyond the SDP now. They are now in the ADC.”
Explaining the rationale behind the ADC choice, he said, “The party met all the coalition’s requirements. The coalition leaders were clear about what they were looking for in a platform, and ADC must have satisfied those expectations.”

While stating he was not privy to all the specific requirements, Ibe noted that ADC was not the only party considered, but it was ultimately chosen at the end of the process.

“The coalition is now official, but there is still work for the committees to do, including finalising the party structure and leadership. The public unveiling will simply formalise what was achieved during Tuesday night’s meeting of all major stakeholders.”

While it was gathered that the coalition leaders have yet to reach a consensus on who will fly the party’s flag in the 2027 presidential election, sources indicated that the unspoken understanding is that the conversation would likely commence now that the platform issue has been settled.

One source said, “Everyone will be allowed to contest for the presidency,” adding that there is a tacit gentleman’s agreement that whoever emerges as the candidate would receive the backing of the rest.

A brief on ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) was established in 2005 by a group of political activists and reform-minded Nigerians. The key figure behind it is Ralphs Okey Nwosu, who has served as the party’s national chairman since its inception. The party positions itself as a centrist platform advocating inclusive governance, youth empowerment and national development.


Over the years, the ADC has participated in several general elections, fielding presidential candidates and contesting legislative seats. In the 2023 presidential election, the party nominated Dumebi Kachikwu as its flag bearer. While it has consistently taken part in presidential races, its candidates have not secured significant vote shares. For instance, in 2023, the party polled 81,919 votes, placing fifth overall behind the APC’s Bola Tinubu, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and the NNPP’s Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

In the 2019 election, the ADC candidate, the late Dr Obadiah Mailafia, garnered 97,874 votes to finish fourth out of 73 candidates. In 2015, the party fielded Dr Mani Ibrahim Ahmad, who polled 29,666 votes and placed seventh out of 14 contestants.


In the 2023 National Assembly elections, Leke Abejide was re-elected to represent Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State under the ADC platform. He won with 23,271 votes, defeating candidates from both the APC and PDP. The party also secured another House of Representatives seat through Salman Idris, who was elected to represent Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State, although he has since defected to the APC.

Analysts believe the ADC’s consistency in past presidential elections, where it has steadily emerged behind the major contenders, positioned it as a viable option for the emerging coalition—especially given the ongoing internal crises in the three leading opposition parties: PDP, LP and NNPP.


The Social Democratic Party (SDP), earlier considered by the coalition, reportedly fell short of expectations after concerns emerged that the ruling APC may have influence over its leadership, raising fears that the party could face the same fate as other compromised opposition platforms before 2027.

It was also gathered that the coalition factored in the possibility that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might exercise its power to deregister political parties that fail to meet the threshold of winning seats in the National Assembly or state legislatures. This concern further tilted the preference toward the ADC.
Similarly, the absence of leadership tussles within the party since its inception was also seen as a positive factor.


ADC chair: We’ll meet coalition committee today

Also speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu confirmed the party would meet today with the committee it had set up to interface with the coalition.

“The coalition discussion is ongoing. We are still engaging many patriots—party leaders and civil society actors. If it works out, it’s not about quid pro quo. It’s about Nigeria,” Nwosu said.

“It’s for anyone ready to make sacrifices to save this country and make Nigeria work. As we speak, the poverty rate is alarming—75.5 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line. The only way we can reposition our country to become a continental leader and attain global relevance is through sacrifice. So anyone joining this coalition must be ready to make that sacrifice.”


Asked if he had personally met Atiku, Obi or El-Rufai, Nwosu replied in the negative.
“What ADC has done is to set up two major committees. Each has a chairman, a secretary and members. One committee is led by Dr Bamidele Ganiyu Ajadi, our deputy national chairman in charge of politics. He heads one of them.

“The second committee is led by Dr Mani Ibrahim Ahmad. They’ve been travelling across the country, engaging with different actors, and they’re expected to brief us officially. That’s why we’re all in Abuja. They will brief us tomorrow (Thursday).”

He added: “We’ll have a major NWC and NEC meeting tomorrow, where we’ll receive committee briefings. By then, we should have more clarity.”

Asked about the committees’ terms of reference, Nwosu said: “Nigeria first, always. That’s number one. Then inclusion, which our handshake symbol represents. We must embrace full inclusiveness. There are those unwilling to do that—we don’t want to work with them.

“Our handshake says it all: a handshake across Nigeria. Members of this coalition must also have a continental worldview. You can’t focus solely on local, narrow, ethnocentric perspectives. That’s why we are the African Democratic Congress. Nigeria has over 20 per cent of Africa’s population. You can’t discuss Nigeria’s future without a continental approach.

“This is Africa’s moment. These are the parameters the committees were given—to prioritise inclusion and a strong African continental vision.”

On the involvement of APC members, Nwosu said: “This coalition is broad-based. We have people from all political parties, including APC, joining us. Many APC members are pushing for it because they’re disillusioned. What they see now is not what they bargained for.

“Many of our politicians start out with good intentions but get trapped in systems that corrupt them. This coalition process has taken over six months, and some ask why. It’s because we make people reflect deeply before any engagement. Are you ready to put Nigeria first? How can we correct past mistakes? If you’ve been a governor or held any position, how can you make amends and help us move forward?

“Those reflections have taken place—and they will continue. By the grace of God, by 2027, Nigeria will have a president ready to act from day one, one who will fundamentally change the country’s strategic direction.”
Recall that Nwosu had last week hinted that the party had been chosen as the coalition’s platform to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 general election.

Speaking during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last Thursday through the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mani Ahmed, Nwosu said that while the process of building consensus had been painstaking and time-consuming, it had now reached a decisive phase.

“I can categorically, today, by the grace of God, inform you that the African Democratic Congress is the coalition party in Nigeria. What remains to be done is nothing other than dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s,” he said.
He added that the coalition presents a significant opportunity for the ADC to embrace and accommodate all Nigerians, regardless of background.

“By this gesture, we are inviting every Nigerian who loves this country to join us in this new crusade to bring about enduring democratic change in our nation by coming into our party—the African Democratic Congress—which can easily be seen as the African Democratic Coalition,” he said.


It’s a walkover for us – APC

Reacting to the development, the APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, told Daily Trust yesterday that the 2027 election would be a walkover for the party.

He described the ADC as inconsequential and said that with its adoption by the opposition coalition, the APC could begin celebrating even before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases the election guidelines.

“If Atiku is not confident of victory under the banner of the PDP, or he is not confident that the PDP can champion the cause to victory, and he is moving to a party that doesn’t even have a local government—and that is the platform they plan to rally round to give APC sleepless nights—I think they have made our job easier. We are not rattled; the election will be a walkover for us,” Ibrahim said.


We await official confirmation – PDP, LP

When contacted, Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the party would not comment until the development is officially confirmed.

Asked whether the party was concerned that its 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, could be on his way out just weeks after the departure of his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP spokesman said Atiku’s purported exit remained speculative.

“What we are focused on now is our upcoming NEC meeting,” he said.
Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) dismissed the report of the adoption of ADC as the platform to challenge President Tinubu in 2027 as hearsay.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, told Daily Trust on Wednesday that the LP would not comment on the matter.

“We can’t comment on hearsay,” Ifoh said.

His remarks followed the party’s repeated insistence that it was not engaged in any merger talks.
“The Labour Party is not in any merger or coalition talks with anyone—be it individuals, parties, or organisations. We are aware of individuals engaged in such talks for their personal and selfish reasons. They are not representing the Labour Party. We are not involved in any merger or coalition,” Ifoh added.

On his part, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Obi’s support group, Dr Yunusa Tanko, told Daily Trust that it was better for the leaders involved to formally address the matter.

“I have said that what is currently going on is discussion at individual levels, and the leaders in such discussions should be allowed to come public on their decisions,” Tanko said.

Asked about the reported collapse of merger talks with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Tanko stated there was no such engagement involving the SDP, the Obidient Movement, or Peter Obi personally.
On the reported conditions met before the ADC was adopted as the coalition’s party for the 2027 elections, he said: “The individuals having discussions should be allowed to come public on their discussions.”

Coalition not considering PDP’s participation – Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has ruled out the PDP as a potential participant in the emerging coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Lawal — one of the leading figures in the coalition — said stakeholders have focused discussions on creating a new political platform, either through registering a fresh party or adopting and repositioning an existing one. According to him, the PDP has been deemed unsuitable due to entrenched structural defects.

“In all the meetings I’ve attended so far, nobody has ever considered adopting the PDP as the platform,” Lawal said. “We all agree that the PDP has an incurable virus. No antibiotics 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 the coalition — comprising prominent politicians disenchanted with the current political order — is driven by a shared commitment to building a credible alternative. He also confirmed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains actively involved in the process.

According to Lawal, the coalition is expected to unveil its new political platform soon to address growing public interest and uncertainty over its structure and direction.

His comments followed a statement by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (Benue South), who insisted that the PDP’s nationwide presence and institutional experience place it in the best position to anchor any viable opposition coalition.

Political analysts weigh in

The National President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Prof. Hassan Saliu, said Nigerians should concede that the political actors who moved to the ADC may have done their groundwork before settling on the platform.

According to him, the current political trajectory has moved beyond the debate over the most preferred party, and only time will tell whether the coalition made the right call.


“ADC is a registered political party and does not want to remain a fringe player. The influx of disgruntled elements from other parties could help it gain national relevance. But the movement is more about capturing power than genuine affection for the party,” Prof. Saliu said.

He noted that the decision may have been spurred by the uncompromising posture of key leaders within the SDP where the coalition initially leaned. “They probably foresaw resistance to taking over the party structure and saw the ADC as a softer landing. Unlike the SDP, which appears somewhat rigid, the ADC has little to lose and more to gain.”

On whether the ADC could make a significant impact in the upcoming elections, Prof. Saliu said historical precedents like the merger that birthed the APC suggest that nothing is impossible in politics. “Every political gamble carries risks,” he added.

However, Prof. Gbade Ojo offered a more sceptical view, describing the move as a misstep that amounts to “starting from scratch”.

According to him, the ADC lacks the political structure necessary to mount a serious challenge—no senators, governors or local government control. “Politics is about structure, and the ADC currently controls none. Their move only strengthens the ruling party’s chances,” he said.


Prof. Ojo observed that the coalition elements appear confused, having flirted with both the SDP and now the ADC. “They’ve not crafted a coherent strategy. Their disarray may lead to voter apathy in 2027 if citizens are left with no viable alternative, which could affect the legitimacy of any eventual winner.”

He stressed that even the ruling party should be concerned about the weakening of opposition, noting that robust democracy thrives on a healthy opposition. “The fundamental problem is that these coalition elements are not ideologically aligned, which limits how far they can go. That’s bad for our democracy,” he warned.

For Chief Peter A. Olorunnisola (SAN), the larger issue is not whether the coalition can challenge the ruling party, but how to foster good governance.

“We must move away from the assumption that governance only improves when there’s a strong opposition. In the past, people like the late Chief Awolowo provided constructive opposition through intellectual engagement, not mere antagonism.”

He added, “Opposition should not be about pulling the government down at all costs. Even in countries with dominant party systems, governance can thrive when institutions work. What we need is maturity in our political engagement.”

VHILL:
All I know is that a southern president must complete his 8years term

GEJDHERO:
Then Atiku should rest

yarimo:
Dead on arrival

WizardOfNG:
You don't seem to get one thing. Politics is about permanent interests. Many Northerners, in political office, are confident they can be President in 2031.

They worked for Tinubu to emerge President in 2023 with eyes on 2031. They will do also work for Tinubu in 2027 because of personal ambition they have invested in with their financial and mobilisation support from 2022.

Those sort will have no interested in Atiku's project over their own ambition they have been preparing the ground for since 2022.

Besides, let's see Atiku and Obi get PDP 2027 ticket first because I am pretty sure Southerners won't 'simp' for Atiku and his brethren, like Tambuwal etal, in 2026, when the PDP primaries is to be contested, as they did in 2022.

WizardOfNG:
No one is fooled by Atiku's pledge to do one term. Everyone knows he'll say and do anything to be President. Once President nothing and no one can force him to keep to any pledge.

Especially not a cowardly weakling like Obi who has no political sagacity or influential political machinery behind him

Northern leaders with eyes on the Presidency in 2031, don't care what Atiku says or do. They will have firmly resolved to help Tinubu conlude his two terms by 2031 so they have a dispute-free shot at becoming President after PBAT and with the full backing of the incumbent too.

WizardOfNG:
Wow. We have heard it all. Atiku loves Igbos and Tinubu does not?

Atiku's "love" for Igbos could not extend to him conceding the 2023 PDP Presidential ticket to Igbos who had been the most loyal servants of PDP for 23 years as at the time the PDP primaries toook place in 2022?

Men, the hate you guys have for Yorubas, that see you tell wild lies against them, na follow come from the womb.

franchasng:
Atiku loves Igbos

Tinubu don't like Igbos.

Tinubu has shown his disdain for Igbos for the whole world to see.

If Igbos refuse to work with Atiku to end Bola Tinubu's misrule, then Igbos should not blame anybody.

In Nigeria, for anyone to become President, two major tribes from Northern part and Southern part must work together to support that Presidential candidate; its either Hausa-Fulanis + Igbos or Hausa-Fulanis + Yorubas.

Tinubu understood this mathematics and he used it against Goodluck Jonathan by carrying the whole Yorubas to align with Buhari even when they know Buhari is a disaster waiting to happen.



So Igbos must play the same dirty game.....Peter Obi even though I know you are more than competent and capable, the reality of Nigeria's dirty politics is that you must stoop too low to conquer....so please dear Igbos...beg Peter Obi to not contest in 2027 or let him align with Atiku as his running mate.....Tinubu wanted to do it with Buhari but Buhari refused because of their Moslem Moslem religion.



Peter Obi should deputize Atiku......but the whole North must show seriousness in working seriously with Atiku and not allow Tinubu's dollar and vain political promises to sway them from working with Atiku.



This is the only way forward.

yarimo:
Because ATIKU supporters don't brag and they are not rude, Obidients brag like they own the internet and they are very rude. You shouldn't expect everyone should just keep quiet and tolerate nonsense from them

Ozinlex:
Now you have indirectly agreed to Igbos making 50% of the SW population

Zionmdde:
No.single soul has a permanent political relevance in SE. Igbos don't do political gods and that's something to be proud of. Obi has no business interfering in the affairs of anambra. That's how governance should be. When your tenure expires, move on and don't look back

Igbo land will never be a family dynasty for anyone

Ikaeniyan0:
Tinubu took the governors to court and won. The LG will eventually get their money direct from the FG.