By John Moses
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has brushed aside the prospect of a major opposition coalition forming to challenge its hold on power in the 2027 general elections, insisting it poses no real threat.
Acting APC national chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, dismissed recent moves by prominent opposition figures, including influential members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to unite under a single banner.
This development follows a closed-door meeting on Tuesday in Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where key PDP figures – described as the party’s founding fathers and senior former officeholders – resolved to join forces with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Notable figures at the gathering included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) and Senator Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa), alongside former PDP national chairman Prince Uche Secondus and Senator Tunde Ogbeha.
Following the meeting, the leaders criticised what they called the PDP’s “chaotic” state since the loss of the 2023 election and the departure of its former national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. They blamed internal party divisions and alleged that the APC-led federal government was weaponising state institutions to undermine democracy.
In a communique, they urged the new coalition to unite around goals of national unity, security, economic revival, and fighting corruption, pledging to design strategies to secure victory in local and national elections.
Highlighting Nigeria’s diminishing global standing, they said: “Painfully, Nigeria is now a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage.”
The group accused the APC of coming to power on “false propaganda” and declared that life for ordinary Nigerians had worsened under its rule.
Meanwhile, David Mark has reportedly been chosen as the ADC’s interim national chairman to steer the party until a full convention planned for 2026.
