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The political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections is taking shape as the Atiku-led Coalition has officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the polls, News360 Nigeria reports.

In a key meeting held on Tuesday evening, leaders of the Coalition agreed to reposition the ADC as their vehicle to challenge for power in 2027.

As part of the resolution, former Senate President David Mark emerged as the interim National Chairman of the party.

Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, was named as the interim National Secretary, while Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi will serve as the National Publicity Secretary.

Sources familiar with the outcome of the meeting revealed that the official unveiling of this new arrangement is scheduled to hold on Wednesday at 2pm in Abuja.

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH by: GOV RAUF AREGBESOLA on appointment as THE INTERIM NATIONAL SECRETARY, ADC

– The party platform adopted by the National Opposition Coalition Group – Tuesday, 1st July, 2025 – PART 1 of 2

Dear Party Leaders, Distinguished Members, Friends, and Fellow Citizens,

It is with deep humility, a profound sense of duty, and unwavering hope for our people, nation, race and party and that I accept the appointment as The National Secretary of our great party.

I thank the leadership for the trust reposed in me. But more than that, I thank every committed member of this party are those who still believe that politics can be a force for good, people who believe that party forms government and must control it. Those who believe in the supremacy of the party in a democracy and all products of democratic contests. Those who recognise that parties must stand for and with the people in the promotion of their interests and aspirations. That parties therefore are not merely machines for winning elections but institutions for mobilizing, organizing, energizing, educating, empowering and encouraging the people towards their emancipation and development.

Let me begin by saying this: a political party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.

Throughout Africa’s history, and particularly in the legacy of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa; a 113 year- behemoth of party organization that is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve. The ANC is not perfect but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom. It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.

Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.

Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country.

That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.

As The National Secretary, I will work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass, a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for to the people, not only during elections, but every single day.

We must become an institution where:
(1) Internal democracy is not just preached but practiced.
(2) Intra-party competition is transparent, fair, and just.
(3) All party structures from the ward to the national level and function effectively and efficiently.
(4) Young people, women, and the marginalized have a real voice, not symbolic inclusion.
(5) All special and critical interests(security, educators, farmers, workers, women, youth, professionals, people with special needs, etc., must be recognised and allowed to have autonomous structures within the party.

We will model international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics. We will study what works from South Africa to Sweden, from Chile to Kenya, and adapt what fits our local reality. Discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and service to the people must define us.

We must be the party that talks about public education and actually builds schools. That speaks of security and supports real policies to keep our communities safe. That believes in jobs and works to create them. That stands for Nigeria not just during elections, but in everyday governance.

This is not an easy task. It will take time. It will demand sacrifice. But it can be done.

I ask for your support not just in words, but in action. Hold me accountable. Challenge me when I stray. And stand with me as we begin this journey to rebuild our party, restore its soul, and return politics to its rightful place—as a service to the people.

Thank you, and may our work ahead be worthy of the hopes our people place in us.

Long live our party. Long live our democracy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

mrvitalis:
Waiting for some unscrupulous elements to come here and tell us how everyone in this coalition is working for Tinubu

My advice to the coalition

One show respect to the igbos, go to Enugu call traditional n religious leaders, tell them the truth... Yes by fairness n equity presidency should go to South East... But the situation now would make that difficult.... Tell them to accept Vice for 4 years after which the president would come to South East .... Once that's done

Go to middle belt, promise them their interest are fears are well know and assure of protection

With the above two the foundation is strong

mrvitalis:
Waiting for some unscrupulous elements to come here and tell us how everyone in this coalition is working for Tinubu

My advice to the coalition

One show respect to the igbos, go to Enugu call traditional n religious leaders, tell them the truth... Yes by fairness n equity presidency should go to South East... But the situation now would make that difficult.... Tell them to accept Vice for 4 years after which the president would come to South East .... Once that's done

Go to middle belt, promise them their interest are fears are well know and assure of protection

With the above two the foundation is strong

Wickedfact:
Out of the 3 top party positions, they gave the North 2 and SW one, nothing for the SE. But you are happy with going to Enugu and summoning the traditional rulers with a promise handover to a SE candidate in 2031.

Amaechi used your head in the last election, he just confessed it. You are still suffering from Wike's own till today.
Since you can't use your heads to think, It is the turn of the North to use your heads.

helinues:
When the head is rotten...

Mark, Aregbesola, how political relevant are they from their respective states?

immaculatesense:
I am even still waiting to know: Who are those in ADC and who are those in ADA? Because there are already two faction of the Coalition as it stands today.

mrvitalis:
Waiting for some unscrupulous elements to come here and tell us how everyone in this coalition is working for Tinubu

My advice to the coalition

One show respect to the igbos, go to Enugu call traditional n religious leaders, tell them the truth... Yes by fairness n equity presidency should go to South East... But the situation now would make that difficult.... Tell them to accept Vice for 4 years after which the president would come to South East .... Once that's done

Go to middle belt, promise them their interest are fears are well know and assure of protection

With the above two the foundation is strong

helinues:
I am expecting Fayemi to also join the coalition as he has been singing canary song lately. Let those who want to form the opposition from South West show their faces now so that we can know how to handle them

Wickedfact:
What do you think Atiku can promise Fayemi that Tinubu can't offer?
Fayemi and co are there to ensure Tinubu controls both mainstream and the opposition.

Wickedfact:
Out of the 3 top party positions, they gave the North 2 and SW one, nothing for the SE. But you are happy with going to Enugu and summoning the traditional rulers with a promise handover to a SE candidate in 2031.

Amaechi used your head in the last election, he just confessed it. You are still suffering from Wike's own till today.
Since you can't use your heads to think, It is the turn of the North to use your heads.

seunmsg:
The hatred for SW won’t allow some of you see beyond your nose. The north is not going to handover any power to the SE whether in four years or twenty years. If Atiku wins in 2027, he will contest for another term and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

Considering how the north has behaved since 2023, they will still put up a candidate even after 8 years of an Atiku presidency. They will simply coalesce around another El-Rufai, Tambuwal, Kwakwanso or whatever. The north can’t just do without power and a mere promise to just do one term is not what will make them handover to any Ibo person.

And the middle belt are no fools, they have nothing to benefit from another Fulani led government. The people of southern Kaduna are just breathing a sigh of relief from the shege they saw under Buhari/El-Rufai, they won’t run to another Atiku whose only campaign point is the restoration of Fulani hegemony and nothing else.

Whatever the case, you all are free to dream. We shall meet you fire for fire and treachery for treachery at the polls in 2027.

ZUBY77:
Why are you people crying over how the Party will fall? What if they turn out to be better than APC?

Isn't a better Nigeria all we want? Or you just want the system that benefits you and your family?

We will give them chance and see if things will turn around

PaChukwudi44:
If you have sense you should have known that these happened because either the Presidential candidate or the deputy will be expected to come from the SE

ZUBY77:
Why are all APC defenders all over this thread when everyone else was sleeping?
Isn't this how APC was formed too?
Why are you people crying over how the Party will fall? What if they turn out to be better than APC?

Isn't a better Nigeria all we want? Or you just want the system that benefits you and your family?

We will give them chance and see if things will turn around for Nigerians, especially the visionless mobs here attacking anybody with contrary views to their opinions.

Wickedfact:
Look at this one wearing isiagu to defend slavery.

In this coalition, either Presidential candidate or his vice will come from the North. Did it stop them from appointing someone from the North?
But it can stop them from appointing someone from the East.

In APC, the President is from the SW, same as National Secretary.
In PDP, both Presidential candidate and Chairman were from the North.

In your coalition, what is in for the SE? Nothing.
And you are here justifying it.
Don't worry, when it is time to carry banners in Eagles square, you will be remembered.

Wickedfact:
Look at this one wearing isiagu to defend slavery.

In this coalition, either Presidential candidate or his vice will come from the North. Did it stop them from appointing someone from the North?
But it can stop them from appointing someone from the East.

In APC, the President is from the SW, same as National Secretary.
In PDP, both Presidential candidate and Chairman were from the North.

In your coalition, what is in for the SE? Nothing.
And you are here justifying it.
Don't worry, when it is time to carry banners in Eagles square, you will be remembered.

AMINDA:
Forget about all these attempts to gaslight, it's not working. Why not tell us about how Tinubu has maintained federal character by equitably distributing federal appointments even in the South? Or is this only applicable when discussing party positions? This is why we say that Tinubu will have no points to campaign with 2027 because every single indices he could use will count against him.

seunmsg:
The hatred for SW won’t allow some of you see beyond your nose. The north is not going to handover any power to the SE whether in four years or twenty years. If Atiku wins in 2027, he will contest for another term and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

Considering how the north has behaved since 2023, they will still put up a candidate even after 8 years of an Atiku presidency. They will simply coalesce around another El-Rufai, Tambuwal, Kwakwanso or whatever. The north can’t just do without power and a mere promise to just do one term is not what will make them handover to any Ibo person.

And the middle belt are no fools, they have nothing to benefit from another Fulani led government. The people of southern Kaduna are just breathing a sigh of relief from the shege they saw under Buhari/El-Rufai, they won’t run to another Atiku whose only campaign point is the restoration of Fulani hegemony and nothing else.

Whatever the case, you all are free to dream. We shall meet you fire for fire and treachery for treachery at the polls in 2027.

franchasng:
Don't bother yourself young man.
If the coalition likes they should not give Southeast... we have told Atiku this and he knows and will never be like Buhari and Tinubu. So go away with your tríbalîsm and egbe nonsense