A formidable political coalition involving key opposition figures including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Nasir el-Rufai is reportedly close to adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a unified platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
TheNewsMatrics has learned that a series of high-level strategy meetings have been held in recent months among opposition leaders who are seeking to build a coalition capable of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after his expected full two-term presidency.
Sources familiar with the talks revealed that a near-consensus had emerged among coalition leaders in favour of adopting the ADC, a lesser-known party with a reputation for clean politics and youth engagement. The decision to adopt ADC as the coalition’s vehicle was reportedly close to finalisation — until former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai made an eleventh-hour push for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party he recently joined after his exit from the APC in March 2025.
According to insiders, el-Rufai met with coalition leaders on Tuesday night and presented arguments in favour of the SDP, claiming that its historic name recognition and existing political structures could offer the coalition a stronger electoral foundation. His appeal was compelling enough that coalition leaders agreed to delay the formal adoption of ADC and granted el-Rufai two weeks to submit a detailed proposal on why SDP should be considered instead.
Despite el-Rufai’s intervention, sources close to the coalition say that the “preponderance of opinion” still supports the ADC as the more viable option — citing its relative neutrality and ability to serve as a clean slate for a new political alliance.
Atiku, Obi consider party exits
The evolving coalition dynamics come amid growing tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Atiku Abubakar has long served as a dominant figure. After the PDP’s loss in the 2023 election, Atiku has consistently called for a broader alliance to confront the APC’s political machinery in 2027.
During a meeting in April with a delegation from the PDP in Nasarawa State, Atiku hinted that plans were already in motion, telling attendees that the “coalition train has left the station,” suggesting that a realignment was imminent. His remarks have fueled speculation that he may be preparing to leave the PDP altogether — particularly amid internal disputes and rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan is eyeing a comeback, possibly with the support of influential party leaders.
Similarly, Peter Obi, who ran under the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 and garnered a significant youth following, is also reportedly considering an exit from the LP. The party has recently been mired in legal battles and internal leadership crises, weakening its ability to serve as a stable platform for 2027.
A game-changing coalition?
If successful, the opposition coalition could significantly alter Nigeria’s political landscape. The APC, which has held power since 2015, continues to face criticism over economic hardship, security challenges, and governance issues. Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over the lack of viable alternatives in the past two election cycles.
El-Rufai’s own political repositioning is seen as a sign of the seriousness with which opposition forces are preparing for 2027. Since leaving the APC, the former governor has publicly pledged to help unite the opposition and create a credible path to power.
The coalition is expected to reconvene in early June for a decisive meeting on the party platform — a decision that could set the stage for what may be Nigeria’s most competitive presidential race since the return to democracy in 1999.
Background
The ADC, originally registered in 2005, has never fielded a serious presidential contender but has gained modest traction in state-level contests. It is viewed by many as a fresh and less controversial vehicle for national coalition-building. In contrast, the SDP carries historical weight, having been the platform of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola during the annulled 1993 presidential election.
