ADC Youth Wing Rejects Atiku, El-Rufai, Peter Obi Coalition Takeover Plan
GoldenNewsNg reports that the Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly rejected the newly formed opposition coalition’s plan to adopt the party as its political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition, made up of prominent political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Peter Obi (Anambra), announced on Wednesday that it had adopted the ADC as its new political base.
The coalition also named David Mark as interim national chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, in what is being described as a major realignment of opposition forces aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
However, the ADC Youth Wing, led by its spokesperson Musa Matara, has condemned the move, describing the coalition as an “assembly of old politicians who destroyed Nigeria in the past.” Matara made the remarks during a press briefing held Thursday in Abuja.
“The opposition coalition comprises the same old faces who spoiled the Nigerian government in the past,” Matara said.
“They are politicians with no ideology. ADC is a party of vision and values. We will not allow anybody to hijack what we have built.”
He dismissed a separate claim by a faction of the party led by Ralph Nwosu, which had earlier announced the resignation of all ADC executives to pave the way for the new coalition.
“We are still in ADC. We don’t have any other party but ADC,” Matara added.
“Let them come and join us if they want, but not take over. Who appointed this so-called interim chairman and secretary? Was it done by the National Executive Committee or the National Working Committee?”
The development has sparked internal division within the party, as key stakeholders resist what they describe as an undemocratic takeover of the party’s structure by politicians pursuing personal ambitions.
In a separate statement, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, also rejected the coalition’s move. He described the emergence of David Mark as interim chairman as a betrayal of public trust.
“This is a disservice to Nigerians,” Kachikwu said.
“What we are witnessing is a desperate attempt to repackage failed politicians and deceive the electorate again.”
Kachikwu, like Matara, warned that the coalition was nothing more than a front to return Atiku Abubakar to power, under the guise of national interest.
As tensions rise within the party, the ADC’s internal factions appear poised for a power struggle that could determine the future of its role in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
