Youth members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have rejected the recent political coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir El-Rufai, and other top politicians, aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a youth gathering in Abuja on Thursday, ADC Youth Spokesman Musa Matara said the party would not allow itself to be taken over by politicians he described as responsible for Nigeria’s past failures.
The backlash follows a Wednesday announcement in which a faction of the ADC, led by Raph Nwosu, handed over the party’s leadership to the opposition coalition, naming David Mark as interim national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary.
Rejecting the move, Matara said, “These are the same people who spoilt Nigeria before. They have no ideology and want to hijack our party.”
He denied claims that ADC’s national executives had resigned, insisting the party’s legal leadership remains intact.
“We are not ready to hand over our structure to any group of expired politicians. ADC has its ideology and structure. We are open to new members, but no one will hijack this party,” he said.
He questioned the legitimacy of the appointments made by the coalition, saying, “Who appointed the interim chairman and secretary? Was it NEC or NWC? They have no authority.”
In a related development, ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, also criticised the coalition, saying David Mark’s emergence as interim chairman is a “disservice to Nigerians” and warned that the real goal is to hand power to Atiku in 2027.
The tension highlights deep divisions within the opposition as preparations begin for the next general election.
