In a political twist that was anything but surprising, a group of familiar political faces gathered recently under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), attempting to rebrand themselves as a “coalition to save Nigeria.” But beyond the drama and headlines lies a different truth: this is not a movement to rescue Nigeria; it is a gathering of politically displaced individuals, united only by their resentment for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and fear of irrelevance ahead of 2027.
Let’s be clear, many of those who defected from the APC or PDP into this new coalition had long lost their footing in their former parties.
The Defectors: Political Baggage, Not Assets
Rotimi Amaechi exited the APC in spirit as far back as 2022, after losing the presidential primary to Tinubu.
Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General, quietly distanced himself from the APC after his failed Kebbi governorship bid.
Hadi Sirika is now facing corruption charges and brings no moral weight to any movement.
Rauf Aregbesola was expelled from the APC after committing anti-party offenses in the last Osun election.
Kashim Imam abandoned the party after losing out on the vice-presidential slot in 2022.
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a former APC chairman, has long since shifted allegiance and was instrumental in the formation of this faction.
None of these names represent fresh thinking or national renewal. They are remnants of past political calculations now trying to reinvent themselves, desperate not for reform, but for power.
This is Not a Coalition. It’s a Refuge for the Politically Displaced
The so-called coalition is essentially Atiku Abubakar’s PDP faction reborn in a new shell. Stripped of control by the younger generation within the PDP, the old guard has reassembled under the ADC platform, hoping to snatch relevance and possibly the presidential ticket ahead of 2027.
Their plan? Rope in Peter Obi for his popularity while denying him real leadership. But this tactic is already backfiring. Obi won two regions (South-East and South-South) in the last election, how do you ask him to play second fiddle to someone who only managed to win the North-East?
The coalition is counting on Obi’s support base but not offering him what he deserves. It’s a clear case of political exploitation, and it won’t end well.
What Does This Mean for the APC?
The APC has lost absolutely nothing. Most of those leaving were either with uterior motives or openly worked against Tinubu in 2023. Their departure is not a crack, it’s a cleanup. Removing the parasites eating the kola nut from within is not a loss; it's a fortification.
In contrast, APC has continued to attract governors, senators, and key stakeholders since the 2023 elections. The party is not just holding steady; it is expanding and solidifying.
Legally, Politically, and Strategically, the “Coalition” is Weak
By law, belonging to more than one political party is grounds for disqualification from elections. Publicly declaring allegiance to ADC effectively severs any ties these defectors had with PDP or APC. It’s political suicide masked as strategy.
The movement into ADC, in essence, formalizes the dismemberment of the PDP, once Nigeria’s strongest opposition party. What’s left is a mixed bag of “former this” and “former that,” held together only by their collective fear of 2027 and their hatred for Tinubu.
The Real Challenge: Electoral Reform, Not Coalitions
Let’s be honest: unless Nigeria develops an electoral system that cannot be bought, and unless committed citizens rise to decisively shape the nation’s future, power will not change hands in 2027, certainly not to this bunch of recycled politicians.
President Tinubu doesn’t even need to campaign aggressively if current trends continue. This is the same man who orchestrated victory in 2023 before even becoming President. Thinking he will casually hand over power to a fractured, idea-less group of former power players is wishful thinking at best.
Conclusion: Let Them Gather, We’ll Keep Governing
In politics, people are free to associate and assemble. But what we witnessed recently was not the birth of a new political force, it was the public unveiling of desperation.
If anything, the ADC ‘coalition’ has made the APC stronger by removing internal contradictions and exposing the fragility of the opposition.
For now, let the ruling party stay focused on governance. Let the noise continue outside. 2027 is still far, and the real work is in delivering results, not scrambling for premature alliances.
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