2027: Opposition leaders consider APP, NDC as ADC crisis deepens

Opposition leaders are considering alternative political platforms ahead of the 2027 elections following the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Sources within the opposition said key figures are weighing the options of contesting under the Action Peoples Party (APP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC) if the legal issues affecting the ADC are not resolved.

According to the sources, the crisis within the ADC, compounded by the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s disputed leadership, could prevent the party from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections.

They said opposition leaders will meet in Abuja after the Easter break to deliberate on a strategy and decide on the way forward.

The sources alleged that the ongoing legal battle surrounding the ADC could extend beyond the party primaries and affect the submission of its register of members.

According to them, May 8 is the expected deadline for political parties to submit their registers to INEC ahead of the electoral cycle.

“If this crisis continues and members contest within ADC, and the party loses recognition, they cannot simply move to another party.

“With INEC refusing to recognise the current leadership, any convention or congress conducted under the disputed administration would be invalid,” one of the sources said.

Legal analysts cited by the sources said court proceedings at the Federal High Court and possibly the Court of Appeal could take several months.

They warned that if the litigation drags on for five to six months, the constitutional timelines for party primaries and submission of registers may lapse.

The sources said this could effectively block the ADC from fielding candidates for presidential, governorship, and legislative elections.

The development has reportedly triggered emergency consultations among opposition leaders, some of whom are said to favour resolving the internal crisis within the ADC.

However, other leaders are said to be cautious about pursuing a prolonged dispute that could ultimately deprive the opposition of a viable platform for the elections.

The sources added that the leaders are considering adopting a “plan B” to safeguard their political ambitions.

According to them, two political parties have emerged as potential alternatives. The Action Peoples Party is said to have maintained a relatively stable leadership structure since its formation.

The party currently has representation in the House of Representatives through Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Matthew Nwaogu.

The second option being considered is the National Democratic Congress, a recently formed political platform promoted by Senator Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa State.

Although the NDC currently has minimal parliamentary representation, sources said it has no leadership disputes.

The sources said opposition leaders plan to keep their final choice confidential to avoid revealing their strategy to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They added that an official announcement on the platform to be adopted for the 2027 elections may only be made when the political timing is considered favourable.

Political analysts say the decisions taken by the opposition in the coming weeks could reshape the country’s electoral dynamics ahead of the 2027 polls.