Nigeria’s opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have settled on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their coalition platform, with ex-Senate President David Mark as interim chairman
Abuja — Nigeria’s opposition coalition has finalized plans to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its unified platform, with former Senate President David Mark set to serve as Interim National Chairman, Sunday PUNCH can authoritatively report.
The decision was reached after closed-door negotiations involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers). Three sources confirmed Mark’s acceptance of the role, while the coalition scrambles to appoint a National Secretary after rejections from ex-Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Ben Obi.
“ADC is our party, and that has been settled,” a coalition insider revealed. “David Mark will chair, but Obi requested more time to consult supporters before the official unveiling this week.”
The ADC’s current National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, endorsed the move, praising Mark as “one of the most disciplined Nigerians” and confirming his willingness to step aside. “This is about rescuing Nigeria from APC’s failures,” Nwosu told Sunday PUNCH. “Mark is the ideal leader to unite everyone beyond politics.”
The coalition opted for ADC after failed attempts to register new parties, with INEC reportedly delaying approvals. Members are already defecting en masse, as seen in Anambra where ADC candidates include LP and PDP defectors.
A Wednesday meeting in Abuja will finalize the coalition’s structure ahead of its formal launch. “Once unveiled, you’ll see mass defections to ADC,” another source stated, signaling a seismic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.