Isaac Samuel
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting in Abuja, amid growing indications of a possible opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which took place at the residence of former Senate President, David Mark, in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory, followed a solidarity visit by PDP leaders to the ADC over what both parties described as increasing political pressure on opposition platforms.
The development also comes hours after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Mark led a protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over recent developments affecting party leadership.
A large number of political heavyweights across party lines were seen arriving at the venue, signalling deepening consultations that could shape the configuration of opposition politics in the coming electoral cycle.
Prominent among those present are former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Others include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Also in attendance are factional PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana; former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; as well as ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and his PDP counterpart, Ini Ememobong.
In a statement issued after the engagement, the PDP said its leadership paid a solidarity visit to the ADC in response to what it described as “recent political attacks targeted at Nigeria’s opposition parties.”
The party noted that both the PDP and ADC face a growing and shared threat, stressing the need for vigilance against actions capable of undermining democratic principles and political plurality.
The PDP delegation included Makinde, Turaki, Wabara, Gana, Aliyu, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Hajiya Inna Ciroma, General Ishaya Bamayi, Rt. Hon. Fred Agbedi, and Ememobong.
They were received by ADC leaders, including Atiku, Mark, Kashim Imam, Kwankwaso, Tambuwal, Tunde Ogbeha, Obi, Liyel Imoke, Rauf Aregbesola, Amaechi, and Abdullahi.
Responding, ADC leaders expressed appreciation for the visit and warned of what they described as an existential threat to democracy, particularly through attempts to weaken opposition parties.
Both sides affirmed the need for sustained engagement to defend democratic institutions.
Although details of the closed-door deliberations were not disclosed, the convergence of key opposition figures across political divides has heightened speculation about a possible merger or strategic alliance.
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