Obi-Kwankwaso Supporters Reject Merger As ADC Says No Need For Coalition To Beat Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has declared it does not need a coalition of opposition parties to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that Nigerians are ready for change.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this on Arise TV while speaking on the party’s preparedness, saying the party has enough support to win.
“We don’t need a coalition to win this election. The African Democratic Congress does not need a coalition to win this election,” he declared.
According to him, coalition discussions were initially to make opposition’s task easier, but ADC has developed sufficient strength to prosecute the election independently.
“If we are able to build the kind of coalition that we started, maybe it will make our job easier, but we don’t need that coalition to win the election,” he said.
Abdullahi said opposition parties are still engaging on areas of cooperation, particularly protecting votes.
“We are still having conversations among ourselves, our opposition political parties, and there are different areas,” he said. “If we are able to develop a common protocol for election monitoring and for policing our votes, that is major.”
He dismissed concerns about APC’s strength, saying “The 2027 election will not be contested on the floor of the National Assembly. It is the people of Nigeria that will decide who they want to vote for.”
Abdullahi expressed confidence in ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying “We have the next six months to mobilise. We have the next six months to rally,” describing the poll as referendum on Tinubu administration.
Meanwhile, the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso tagged the OK Movement, has resolved to remain independent and not be merged into any external political body.
The OK Movement, a platform mobilising support for the Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket with supporters from Obidient Movement, Kwankwasiyya, NNPP and ADC, said consolidation from outside would disrupt programmes, blur identity and forfeit momentum.
Rising from its National Leadership Summit in Abuja, attended by national leaders, six zonal coordinators, 37 state coordinators and LGA and ward mobilisers from 36 states and FCT, the group affirmed John Ughulu as founder and Director-General and declined any proposal for his replacement.
Communique signed by Convener, Barr. Oladipo Johnson; Prince Suleiman Abubakar, Deputy DG (North); Mrs. Oluwatoyin Lanihun, Deputy DG (South) and Saadatu Mohammed Sani, National Secretary, said Movement was built ward by ward on personal credibility of founder.
“Social media handles can be reassigned; the confidence of thousands of grassroots mobilisers cannot,” it said.
Summit also invited Ms. Jacky Wayas to return as Director for Strategic Implementation and Planning, and approved appointment of Prince Suleiman Abubakar as Deputy DG (North) following resignation of Amb. Muhammad Auwal Musa.
The group said should DG be removed or independence set aside, state, LGA and ward leaders indicated they would not continue.
National leadership later visited Sen. Kwankwaso to intimate him of outcome, and visited Alhaji Buba Galadima, Head of Advisory Council, who reaffirmed importance of unity and cautioned against merging into NDC party.
