David Mark, Aregbesola named interim leaders
Isaac Samuel
Opposition coalition vying to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 who have adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the political platform to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached at a high-level meeting held Tuesday in Abuja, where the coalition named former Senate President David Mark as the ADC’s interim national chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary.
Former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, was made spokesperson of the party.
It was gathered that the adopted political party for the coalition will be unveiled Wednesday in Asokoro, Abuja.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; mark; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Aminu Wali; and former National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, were among the party’s leaders, who called for a rethink of the current political situation.
Other prominent political figures at the meeting include former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, and former House Speaker and Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Influential party strategist Kashim Imam and other senior stakeholders from across the country were also present.
The coalition, which cuts across party lines, said its formation is a direct response to what it described as Tinubu’s failure to fulfill campaign promises.
They cited deepening economic hardship, worsening insecurity, and disillusionment with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current administration.
Before settling for the ADC, the coalition had explored other political platforms. Ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Peter Obi had initially backed the Social Democratic Party (SDP), but internal disagreements and fears of infiltration by APC loyalists derailed that option. A subsequent move to register a new party All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—also faced delays at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with multiple applications and anticipated resistance from the electoral body.
Earlier this year, El-Rufai had backed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a potential coalition vehicle, but disagreements within the SDP especially resistance from its 2023 presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo led to the search for an alternative.
In June, the coalition attempted to register a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) but delays at INEC and competing applications with similar names may have frustrated that process.
Faced with the uncertainty, the coalition after a high-level meeting yesterday resolved to adopt the ADC, a registered political party with existing national structures, as the vehicle for their political agenda.
Aregbesola was said to have initially turned down the nomination after someone believed to be close to him allegedly asked him not to accept it. But after much pressure, he eventually agreed to work with the coalition.
In his acceptance speech as interim secretary, Aregbesola called for a return to issue-based politics and party ideology, vowing to build a values-driven, inclusive, and transparent party structure.
He warned against the culture of political opportunism, declaring that the new ADC under his leadership would prioritize ideology, internal democracy, and inclusion of youth, women, professionals, and marginalized groups.
He pledged to transform the ADC into a party rooted in social justice, rule of law, accountability, and development.
Drawing parallels with South Africa’s ANC, Aregbesola said the ADC would model best practices from successful political systems across the world while adapting them to Nigeria’s realities.
“A political party is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition. We must be an institution rooted in justice, rule of law, and service to the people.”
According to the communique released after the dialogue yesterday, “The meeting of Concerned Leaders of our great Party PDP was called to discuss the disturbing condition the party has been sunk into.
“Since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, our dear party has never been the same again.
“Vested interests from within and the irresponsible actions of the APC-led federal government, which has been using state institutions to stifle and destroy the democracy, knows no bounds
“The inability of PDP leadership to lead the party by its constitution, rules and regulations led it into a chaotic and undisciplined party.”
The communique stated further, “The vision of the founding fathers for which the party was established and the role it played in restoring Nigeria as a stable and united country and key player on the regional, continental, and global stage have been washed away, just as our role as the leader of the black race is now overtaken by smaller and less endowed countries.
“Painfully, Nigeria is now a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage. The meeting took time to deliberate deeply on the issues of democracy, national unity, national security, economy, corruption, governance, and other concerns plaguing our country.”
