The opposition coalition has ordered all its members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, to resign from their current political parties and fully join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The directive was issued after a caucus meeting in Abuja that brought together prominent political figures such as ADC National Chairman David Mark, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi. The coalition also announced that all matters concerning the previously proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA) had been shelved, with all presidential hopefuls agreeing to support whoever emerges as the ADC’s candidate through its primaries. Despite the order, Atiku has yet to formally join the ADC after leaving PDP, while Obi remains in the Labour Party despite his alignment with the coalition.
Reactions from major parties have been dismissive. The ruling APC described the development as inconsequential, insisting that defections are routine in Nigeria’s politics and that ADC lacks the strength to unsettle its dominance. PDP welcomed the directive, noting that it would help identify genuine members and strengthen internal party loyalty, while NNPP likened the moment to a political “transfer window,” stressing that it is confident of gaining more members than it loses.
Labour Party, however, declined to comment, saying the matter was strictly an ADC affair. Analysts suggest that the ADC’s move reflects its urgency to build a united front against the ruling party, but questions remain about its ability to enforce the directive without a clear timeline. Deep divisions within the coalition, as well as the reluctance of some big players to abandon their old platforms, continue to cast doubt on the opposition’s ability to consolidate under a single political umbrella.
