Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared it remains confident and unthreatened, even as high-profile opposition figures unite in a fresh bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Acting APC national chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, downplayed the significance of an emerging opposition coalition, which includes senior members of the country’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP group, styling themselves the Concerned Leaders, met behind closed doors for three hours at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Tuesday before announcing plans to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Among them were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former state governors such as Sule Lamido, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, Babangida Aliyu, Sam Egwu and Jibrilla Bindow.
In a joint statement, the leaders lamented what they described as the PDP’s decline into indiscipline and chaos, citing internal divisions and what they allege is political intimidation from the APC-led federal government.
They argued that Nigeria’s once respected global standing had deteriorated, saying: “The vision of the founding fathers… has been washed away, just as smaller nations now overtake us as leaders of the black race.”
The leaders called on all coalition members to stay united in addressing national security, economic hardship, and entrenched corruption. “All indices of development have collapsed, and life is now hell in Nigeria,” they declared.
The coalition also resolved that the APC government, which they say gained power through “false and evil propaganda,” must be removed in 2027 to restore democratic governance and national dignity.
Reports suggest David Mark has been selected to serve as interim national chairman of the ADC, guiding the party until its next convention in 2026.
The real test for the opposition coalition will be whether it can stay cohesive and overcome the fractures that have historically weakened Nigeria’s opposition parties.
