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Barring any last-minute change, the anti-Tinubu coalition is set to announce the African Democratic Congress as its adopted platform.

Sunday PUNCH also gathered that former Senate President, David Mark, would serve as the Interim National Chairman of the party.

The decisions were reportedly taken by leaders of the anti-Tinubu group, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).

Three credible sources confirmed that Mark had accepted to be the new leader of the party.

Sources noted that the coalition was still in the process of selecting a National Secretary following the decision of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and Senator Ben Obi to decline the offer.

Insiders said a consensus would soon be reached on the position of the national secretary, adding that the ADC would be officially unveiled later this week.

The coalition

President Tinubu’s administration has experienced a mix of achievements and setbacks across various sectors.

However, opposition leaders from different political parties have consistently criticised the All Progressives Congress-led government, describing it as a failure.

Despite their criticisms, the major opposition parties—including the PDP LP, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Social Democratic Party —have all been grappling with internal crises.

In response, on March 20, Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and others announced in Abuja the formation of a coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The announcement ignited nationwide discussions about the potential for a united opposition, with political observers sharing mixed reactions.

Over the past three months, there have been various reports speculating on which political platform the coalition would adopt.

Multiple sources confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the SDP was rejected due to the dominance of President Tinubu’s loyalists within its structure.

Coalition finalises plans

One of the reliable sources disclosed to our correspondent that the coalition leaders would meet in Abuja on Wednesday to finalise all unresolved matters.

He stated, “What I can tell you is that we have all agreed on the ADC as the national coalition platform. So, ADC is our party, and that has been settled.

“Another significant development is that we have all agreed that former President of the Senate, David Mark, should serve as the Interim National Chairman.

“We would have also resolved the issue of the National Secretary, but Aregbesola turned it down. He cited age and mentioned that his wife advised him to slow down. Senator Ben Obi also declined the offer. So, we will settle that later.

“We had planned to unveil the party already, but Labour Party’s Peter Obi said he wanted to consult with his supporters, including a governor and some lawmakers. Hopefully, we will make the official announcement this week. And we will all leave our political platforms for the ADC.”

Another key figure involved in the movement revealed that loyalists of the leaders participating in the alliance had already begun integrating into the ADC.

He stated, “We adopted the ADC because time is no longer on our side, and INEC appears unwilling to register some of the political parties we previously proposed.

“The agreement is that we will all leave our various parties and move to the platform we’ve agreed upon—ADC. Once it is unveiled, you will see each of us formally dumping our former platforms for the coalition party.

“We have an important meeting scheduled for next Wednesday to finalise other key issues, including the position of National Secretary. David Mark has already agreed to serve as the National Chairman.

“Our people have already joined the ADC. The current National Chairman of the ADC, along with some members of the party’s National Working Committee, will voluntarily step down to make room for the coalition leaders and ensure equitable distribution of party offices.”

Reacting to the development, the National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, described Mark as one of the most disciplined Nigerians and a suitable leader for the party.

In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Nwosu said he was prepared to step down from his current position to make way for Mark.

According to him, a major announcement will be made once negotiations are finalised later this week.
He stated, “I am aware of the development. The conversation has been ongoing for about 18 months. We are all committed to rescuing Nigeria from the failed APC. Enough of poverty and insecurity.

“There is no better detribalised Nigerian that can lead ADC than former Senate President, David Mark.

“What we are doing is beyond politics and power grabbing, and if you look at it, one of the most disciplined, committed, and someone who thinks Nigeria first is former President of the Senate, David Mark.

“No better person to do the job of ADC National Chairman and bring everybody together beyond politics than David Mark. I am ready to step aside and sacrifice for Nigeria.

“To me, Nigeria comes first. Our democracy has been compromised beyond everything, so we must move forward.”

In response to a question about when these political heavyweights will be formally welcomed into the party, Nwosu said, “In various ways, most of them have already been integrated. For example, in Anambra State, the person flying the ADC ticket is a chieftain of the Labour Party, and the running mate is a member of the PDP. So, these are LP and PDP leaders contesting under the ADC platform — you can see it’s already working.

“Eighty per cent of those vying for various offices in the Federal Capital Territory under the ADC were, at some point, members of the PDP, LP, and even the APC.

“Within the next week (this week), everything will be concluded, and they will be officially received. Everything will be wrapped up within this new week so that the party’s journey towards a new Nigeria can begin.”

A key stakeholder in the coalition movement and loyalist of Atiku, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that negotiations had reached an advanced stage.

The source stated, “Things are at a very advanced stage. A series of meetings were scheduled in the build-up to a formal declaration.

“Before next week runs out, the announcement will be made. I don’t want to put a specific date, but it will happen. It will be made with respect to the platform and the leadership of that platform.”

A Labour Party chieftain and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the former Anambra governor was ready to take any necessary step to rescue Nigeria.

Tanko also confirmed that the media would soon be invited for an important announcement.

The coordinator of the Obidient Movement, who acknowledged that Obi was currently in the Labour Party, stated that he was willing to leave the party if joining another platform would contribute to rescuing Nigeria.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/2027-david-mark-may-lead-coalition-battle-against-tinubu/

Dead on arrival. There's no room for spent politician in 2027.

David Mark who has been mute while herdsmen are massacring his people. He won't even get support from his Benue base

Anything to remove the effigy nay scarecrow from Aso Rock is welcome by sane Nigerians

When they say the north is against Tinubu, are Uba Sani and co not northerners abi shey na only Atiku supporters be north?

Anyone that doesn't like this should go to hell...this is the only thing that would send a shock wave across the country.

Underestimate them at ur peril.

Politically speaking,the entire northern region is in the bag already...

The civil servants of Nigeria know this too.

The suffering Nigerians know better.

The rent paying Nigerians know what APC has caused them and shockingly,all universities student and lecturers have all seen the problems caused by this wicked administration of Oju yobo's govt.

Mark my words,there is going to be a reverse decamping soon.

E go shock u guys.

The statistics is clear and factual that APC can't win the next election except they rig but it is going to be rig and die this time around.

The ultimate coalition in 2027 will be the whole Nigerians of more than 200m Vs the corrupt mandate failure drug lord

I'm tired of coalition here and there Abeg make we face watin dey worry us for this country.

The decisions were reportedly taken by leaders of the anti-Tinubu group, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).

These people just sit down and fabricate all manner of false information.

As the niqqa above me said; There will be a mass decamping as 2027 nears, it will commence from 2026.

Ttalk:
Dead on arrival. There's no room for spent politician in 2027.

David Mark who has been mute while herdsmen are massacring his people. He won't even get support from his Benue base

D yeye coalition will not have a single governor..

Brought in dead IS different from dead on arrival...

Just like bitter obi ambition is dead on Arrival...

Yeye pple

As far as the coalition is planning to field a Northerner as flag bearer. forget it,

South must complete 8 years before power will shift elsewhere.

This coalition people are just wasting their time .Only Peter Obi can wrest the power from Tinubu.But with rigging Obi can never smell that seat .Bunchbof jokere

Sope otilo.
The coalition with a united front is a colossal brouhaha.
Question is can this Coalition really be a Voultron?

Team of losers , if they like ,make den reach 10million.. They can't c 1million against tinubu come 2027

Loooool! The same David Mark whose Makurdi never had peace throughout his years as Senate President

Lolz, bunch of jokers. Wetin be this, are they serious at all?

Hahahaha. Which position is Mark in currently in Benue politics?

David Mark ke? He can't even singlehandedly win his polling unit. The only person that can battle against Tinubu in 2027 is Tinubu himself others are just noisemakers

He has been aspiring since PDP days but the issue wey happen for senate was the main reason he backed down. This is a good opportunity for him to test frontline politics again.

It's anti June 12 vs Pro june 12 players!
Retired generals vs Democrats!
I think IBB factor for Tinubu will suffice!

I pity many northern politicians because Tinubu is in a hurry to destroy many of them politically.

He has finished Shetima, he is looking for another Frontline politician to finish again.


Beware o!


🤐🤐🤣🤣🤣🤣

See as rauf dodge im head
20 more characters needed

Lol see rogues politicians running around just because they missed out from national cake.

You go school at all? Can't you read?
Where did you read that Mark was going ti be on the ballot?

He's being penciled down as Chairman, not candidate.

When APC was formed, 70 year Old Bisi Akande was Chairman.

So anyone can be chairman

Ttalk:
Dead on arrival. There's no room for spent politician in 2027.

David Mark who has been mute while herdsmen are massacring his people. He won't even get support from his Benue base

Why una dey decline the offers? It's like people are afraid of this move. It looks like PDP re rebranded party.

See a lot of folks here didn't even read the article.

Mark is not on the ballot.

Nigerian 'yoots' ooo

rinzaugustine:
The ultimate coalition in 2027 will be the whole Nigerians of more than 200m Vs the corrupt mandate failure drug lord

That's the beginning of deceit! Do we have upto 200m Nigerian voters?
I think it's going to be let the old status quo remains vs Nigeria needs Reformist government as obtainable, now!

David hundeyin post have a thought provoking spark .

Obi have to man up now and we will follow .

We move to ADC .