By Ayomide Otitoju
Nigeria’s opposition coalition has formally adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its unified political platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
In a major political realignment, former Senate President David Mark has been named interim National Chairman of the ADC, while former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has been appointed interim National Secretary. The appointments were widely publicized on social media by prominent opposition figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, media mogul Dele Momodu, and former PDP spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Ologbondiyan confirmed the coalition’s endorsement of ADC as the new opposition vehicle, stating:
“African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political party for the coalition. The party has elected Sen. David Mark as the interim National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the interim National Secretary.”
The development comes just a day after a group of influential PDP leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and David Mark, called on Nigerians to unite in a broad-based coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
In a communiqué issued following their meeting, the group urged PDP members and Nigerians to embrace a collective movement founded on national unity, democracy, economic recovery, security, and anti-corruption reforms. They emphasized the importance of developing strategies that align with both national priorities and local political realities.
Meanwhile, Senator David Mark has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing irreconcilable internal divisions, a leadership crisis, and the party’s diminishing influence.
In a resignation letter dated June 27 and addressed to the PDP chairman in his Otukpo Ward, Benue State, Mark wrote:
“I have remained deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP. Even when others left after the 2015 loss, I stayed. However, the internal crisis has turned the PDP into a shadow of its former self and a source of public embarrassment.”
Mark’s departure and subsequent leadership role in the rebranded ADC marks a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the next general elections.
