By Adeola Ajakaiye
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), the dominant political platform which the opposition coalition said it is adopting as a launch pad for its plan to wrestle power from the ruling APC, comes 2027, is having a rocky start. A faction within the party, led by Musa Isa Matara, who described himself as national publicity secretary, of the party, had warned that the ADC is not a 鈥減rivate coalition platform鈥 to be hijacked by some political elites.
The faction expressed outrage over what it said was a 鈥榰nilateral decision made without input from critical stakeholders鈥.
Matara said the decision to merge with the opposition coalition was made without consulting key party structures, including state executives, youth and women leaders, and ward coordinators.
鈥淲e warn those coming into the ADC as part of this imposed arrangement to tread carefully. Be mindful that some few individuals are attempting to sell out the soul of our party for personal gain,鈥 Matara said. 鈥淭he ADC is not for sale. It belongs to its members, not political merchants or elite deal makers.鈥
The backlash comes after a meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, where a coalition of opposition politicians and some ADC members reportedly agreed to use the party as a platform for a united opposition front.
Among those in attendance were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President, David Mark, former governors, Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River), as well as former PDP national chairman Uche Secondus.
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Following the meeting, the group announced the adoption of the ADC as its coalition platform, naming David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary, respectively. Former sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi was also unveiled as the coalition鈥檚 spokesperson.
In his response, Matara insisted that the party leadership had no prior knowledge of these developments and reaffirmed their rejection of what he called an 鈥渋mposed arrangement.鈥
He emphasised that while the ADC welcomes the idea of forming alliances, it would not accept what appears to be a hostile takeover.
He further noted that the appointments announced at the meeting carry no weight, as they were not ratified by the party鈥檚 National Executive Committee or a national convention.
鈥淭he claim that the ADC has become the 鈥榩latform of the National Opposition Coalition Group鈥 is misleading,鈥 he said.
鈥淥ur millions of members have not been informed or carried along in this so-called coalition.
鈥淚f anyone is attempting to force an opposition merger without grassroots consent, they are trampling on democratic ethics and party sovereignty. Let it be known to those who are trooping into our party under this chaotic coalition arrangement that the ADC has been battling unresolved legal crises since the 2023 general elections. These matters remain in court and unresolved. Any coalition attempt built on such shaky legal ground is irresponsible and potentially self-destructive.鈥