2027: INEC Sabotage ADC’s Coalition Expansion
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently adopted as the vehicle for a coalition of opposition leaders, is facing hurdles as delays by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in recognising its leadership continue to slow its expansion.
The party, currently under the interim leadership of former Senate President David Mark as National Chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, was unveiled in March with the backing of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Despite the coalition’s high-profile launch, membership into the ADC has remained limited. Atiku, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last month, is yet to formally register, while Obi has also held back his membership as the Labour Party grapples with internal crisis.
A senior coalition member told reporters that the absence of INEC’s recognition and the delayed entry of key figures had slowed the momentum expected to build towards the 2027 elections.
“The ADC remains a formidable platform, but INEC’s delay in recognising David Mark’s leadership is affecting our processes,” the source said.
“We also expected Atiku, Obi, and others to have joined formally by now to boost confidence and attract supporters. Their delay is slowing momentum.”
Compounding the problem, the ADC has been dragged into multiple court cases challenging its interim leadership. One suit, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks to restrain Mark from parading himself as National Chairman, while another in Lagos questions the legality of adopting the party as a coalition platform without a national convention.
Party insiders allege that the litigations are politically motivated and designed to weaken the coalition.
“These litigations are distractions,” one insider said. “They consume time, energy, and resources that should have been devoted to building the party nationwide. Clearly, there are people who do not want the ADC to succeed as a united opposition ahead of 2027.”
Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, however, maintained that the former Vice President remained firmly committed to the coalition.
“Atiku is not contemplating leaving. Registration is ongoing across the country, and his membership will be formalised at the right time. He remains committed to the coalition,” Ibe said.
Efforts to reach Obi’s spokesperson, Yunusa Tanko, were unsuccessful.
But ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed talk of internal crisis, insisting the coalition remained united and focused.
“We are not disturbed. Atiku and Obi are with the coalition. Everything is on track. We have completed documentation with INEC and are managing our activities with available resources,” Abdullahi said.
“Though we are not a ruling party, we are financially stable and continue to build structures across the country.
