ADC Leaders Plan 10-Party Coalition to Challenge APC Amid INEC Derecognition
The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may trigger the formation of a broad opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Insiders say the unfolding situation could lead to a coalition of up to 10 political parties, a move seen as a major challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development follows the removal of the Senator David Mark-led ADC leadership from the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission said its decision was based on its interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling, which ordered all parties involved in the leadership dispute to maintain status quo ante bellum.
The dispute is between the Mark-led executive and Nasiru Bala Gombe, who is laying claim to the party’s national chairmanship position.
However, allies of Mark insist that Bala Gombe has no legal standing to make such claims, arguing that he resigned from the party as far back as May 2025.
Despite these arguments, INEC maintained its stance, declaring that it would no longer recognise any faction within the ADC until the matter is fully resolved. This position has effectively thrown the party into uncertainty, raising questions about its structure and participation in future elections.
Amid the confusion, sources within the opposition say the crisis may have unintentionally created an opportunity. According to insiders, discussions are already underway to build a stronger, wider coalition that could unite several opposition parties under one platform.
Last week, ADC leaders reportedly held meetings with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Similar talks were also held with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), alongside ongoing engagements with the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDC).
A source familiar with the talks said the current situation may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the opposition. He noted that efforts to weaken the ADC could instead strengthen the resolve of political actors seeking a united front.
“What we are seeing is that the loss of ADC on one hand could be the gain of the opposition in this country. What those fighting the ADC don’t know is that you cannot keep the people silent when they are determined to exercise their rights of association. The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027 with a coalition bigger than earlier envisaged,” the source said.
Further checks indicate that the coalition may also benefit from internal challenges within the PDP, particularly factions linked to Tanimu Turaki. Some party members are said to be open to joining a broader alliance if it improves their chances in the next election cycle.
There are also indications that discussions within the ADC camp previously considered backing former President Goodluck Jonathan as a consensus candidate. In the alternative, a joint ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso was also being explored.
Sources claim these moves have unsettled strategists within the APC, who are believed to be monitoring the situation closely. There are suggestions that internal resistance within the emerging coalition may have been encouraged to slow down its progress.
However, a senior ADC figure dismissed such concerns, insisting that ongoing developments are only strengthening the coalition drive.
“The way things are going, we may end up with at least a 10-party coalition. That would be bigger than what we initially set out to do,” the source stated.
