Key opposition figures, including important members from previous administrations, have adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a vehicle to wrestle political power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Members of this coalition, aptly dubbed the “Old Guard Coalition,” include Former Senate President David Mark, ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Former Governor of Kaduna state Nasir El-Rufai, among others.
This composition has raised questions on whether the coalition truly has the interest of Nigerians or is an attempt by the members of the coalition to get back to prominence. Though still largely informal and off-camera, many describe the coalition as a meeting of seasoned politicians who feel sidelined by the current APC-led government.
Key Coalition Members
Atiku: Perennial Contestant
Atiku Abubakar is perhaps the most obvious presidential aspirant, having contested the position a record six times. Despite the fact that Atiku has not officially declared for 2027, many believe he is positioning himself for one more crack at the presidency in 2027.
David Mark: Statesman Per Excellence
A statesman in every sense, David Mark has kept a low profile since leaving the Senate in 2019, but the former military officer and longest-serving Senate President, though unlikely to run for president is said to be instrumental in building bridges between North-Central power blocs and southern political actors who feel alienated in the Tinubu era.
He recently resigned his membership of the PDP and was swiftly announced as the interim chairman of the coalition ADC.
Rotimi Amaechi: ADC Wildcard
Two-time DG of Buhari’s presidential campaigns, Rotimi Amaechi, emerged as a prominent critic of the Tinubu administration after he lost to Tinubu at the APC primaries in 2022.
The former Rivers State governor has been a critic of the current administration’s marginalisation of the South East and famously claimed he was “hungry” in a recent interview. He is being viewed in many quarters as a wildcard choice for the coalition’s presidential ticket.
Aregbesola: Tinubu’s Political Son Turned Foe
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun state governor and Interior Minister, was once one of Tinubu’s closest political sons before the pair fell out over the Osun state governorship and ideological differences.
Though Ogbeni, as he is called by loyalists, denies having a presidential ambition, it is left to be seen how he plays his cards in the build-up to 2027, having been appointed the ADC’s Interim National Secretary.
Nasir El-Rufai: Disgruntled Ministerial Nominee Eyeing a Return
Nasir El-Rufai, who served as FCT minister under the Buhari administration, is a known critic of incumbent president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially after his hopes of becoming a minister under the current administration were dashed. In the aftermath, he relinquished his membership of the APC and joined the SDP. He has an outside chance of contesting the presidency, and what happens in the coming months is left to be seen.
