ADC Leadership Resigns To Pave Way For David Mark’s Coalition Ahead Of 2027 Elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has undergone a significant leadership shake-up as its entire executive team, led by National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, announced their resignation to support a new interim leadership under former Senate President David Mark. The move, confirmed on Wednesday, is seen as a strategic step to bolster the opposition coalition’s platform as it prepares to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Nigerian general elections.
Nwosu, who has led the ADC since its inception, stated that the decision followed 18 months of consultations and reflects the party’s commitment to coalition-building for Nigeria’s progress. “ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. We are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria,” Nwosu said, expressing confidence in Mark’s ability to lead the coalition. The former Senate President, who recently resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been appointed interim national chairman, with former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola named interim national secretary.
The opposition coalition, which adopted the ADC as its political platform in May, aims to unify various factions to present a formidable challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. The appointments of Mark and Aregbesola were unanimously agreed upon during a meeting of coalition leaders on Tuesday night, with the ADC set to formally announce the new leadership structure at a rescheduled event after an initial unveiling was disrupted by a venue cancellation in Abuja.
However, the transition has not been without controversy. A faction within the ADC, led by Matara, has rejected the coalition’s move, claiming the decision to merge was made without consulting key party structures, including state executives and ward coordinators. Matara argued that the appointments lack legitimacy, as they were not ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee or a national convention. Despite this, the coalition remains optimistic, with Aregbesola emphasising the need for the ADC to distinguish itself as an ideologically driven party.
Northern PDP leaders have also endorsed the ADC as the coalition’s platform, following weeks of strategic deliberations. Meanwhile, APC spokesperson Bala Ibrahim dismissed the opposition’s efforts, describing the coalition as “dead on arrival” and expressing confidence in Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
As the ADC navigates this transitional phase, the focus remains on building a robust platform to rally support across Nigeria. With David Mark’s political experience and Aregbesola’s grassroots influence, the coalition hopes to galvanise voters and reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
