The coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria is set to formally adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The decision will be announced on Wednesday, June 2, 2025, following concerns over delays in the registration of the coalition’s proposed new party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ADC, which met the coalition’s requirements, is expected to serve as a temporary platform. Talks to register a new party had suffered setbacks amid fears that INEC might not meet timelines necessary for electoral participation.
Former Senate President David Mark has reportedly been endorsed to serve as the interim national chairman of the ADC, succeeding founder Okey Ralph Nwosu. If confirmed, Mark will steer the party through its transitional phase and lead preparations for a national convention scheduled for 2026 to elect a new leadership.
Key political figures in the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai. The alliance was first unveiled on March 20 after talks with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) failed to yield a unified front.
The decision to adopt the ADC came after the party met conditions set by the coalition’s stakeholders. However, internal disagreements and delays around the registration of a new party created tension, prompting the shift in strategy.
INEC, in response to mounting pressure, recently cautioned political groups that registration of any new party must follow due process and constitutional guidelines. The commission dismissed reports suggesting it had already registered two new parties—the Independent Democrats and the Peoples Democratic Movement.
INEC reiterated that party registration cannot be driven by political urgency or media pressure, stressing that compliance with legal and procedural requirements remains mandatory.
